Antisense oligonucleotides useful in treatment of Pompe disease

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to antisense oligomeric compounds that may be used in the treatment Pompe disease as well as method for modulating the splicing of the GAA gene and method to treat Pompe disease. Also pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antisense oligomeric compounds are part of the invention.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/315,887, filed on Dec. 2, 2016, which is the U.S. National Stage of International Patent Application No. PCT/NL2015/050421, filed Jun. 10, 2015, published in English, which claims the benefit of and priority to International Application No. PCT/NL2014/050374, filed Jun. 10, 2014, European Application No. 14177884.5, filed Jul. 21, 2014, and European Patent Application No. 14183589.2, filed Sep. 4, 2014, the entire content of all which are incorporated herein by reference.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The present application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted electronically in ASCH format and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCH copy, created on Feb. 28, 2020, is named P104580US20 corrected seqlist_ST25.txt and is 351,005 351,157 bytes in size.

The invention is related to antisense oligonucleotide that are useful for the treatment of Pompe disease and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antisense oligonucleotides. The invention is also related to a method to modulate the splicing of pre-mRNA of the GAA gene and to treatment of Pompe disease.

BACKGROUND

Pompe disease also known as acid maltase deficiency or Glycogen storage disease type II is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder which damages muscle and nerve cells throughout the body. It is caused by an accumulation of glycogen in the lysosome due to a deficiency of the lysosomal acid alpha-glucosidase enzyme. The build-up of glycogen causes progressive muscle weakness (myopathy) throughout the body and affects various body tissues, particularly in the heart, skeletal muscles, liver and nervous system.

In Pompe disease, a protein, acid alpha-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.20), also known as acid maltase, which is a lysosomal hydrolase, is defective. The protein is an enzyme that normally degrades the alpha-1,4 and alpha-1,6 linkages in glycogen, maltose and isomaltose and is required for the degradation of 1-3% of cellular glycogen. The deficiency of this enzyme results in the accumulation of structurally normal glycogen in lysosomes and cytoplasm in affected individuals. Excessive glycogen storage within lysosomes may interrupt normal functioning of other organelles and lead to cellular injury. The defective protein is the result of alternative splicing which is caused by mutations in the GAA gene on long arm of chromosome 17 at 17q25.2-q25.3 (base pair 75,689,876 to 75,708,272). The gene spans approximately 20 kb and contains 20 exons with the first exon being noncoding.

Although over 460 GAA mutations have been described (http://cluster15.erasmusmc.nl/klgn/pompe/mutations.html), only a few splicing mutations have been characterized. Severe mutations that completely abrogate GAA enzyme activity cause a classic infantile disease course with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, general skeletal muscle weakness, and respiratory failure and result in death within 1.5 years of life. Milder mutations leave partial GAA enzyme activity and results in a milder phenotype with onset varying from childhood to adult. In general, a higher residual enzyme activity in primary fibroblasts is associated with later onset of Pompe disease. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) has been developed for Pompe disease, in which recombinant human GAA protein is administered intravenously every two weeks. This treatment can rescue the lives of classic infantile patients and delay disease progression of later onset patients, but the effects are heterogeneous. The IVS1 mutation, c.-32-13T>G, a transversion (T to G) mutation that is the most common among children, juvenils and adults with this disorder. This mutation interrupts a site of RNA splicing.

Antisense oligonucleotides (antisense oligomeric compounds) are currently being tested in clinical trials for their ability to modulate splicing. A classical example is Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In this disease, mutation hotspots are present in certain exons. Using antisense oligomeric compounds, the mutated exon is skipped and the mutation is bypassed. This results in a slightly shorter protein that is still partial functional. It is straightforward to induce exon skipping using antisense oligomeric compounds, because it is evident that the antisense oligomeric compound must be targeted to the relevant splice site. Also in Epidermolysis bullosa (WO2013053819) and in Leber congenital amaurosis symptoms (WO2012168435) antisense oligonucleotides are used for exon skipping.

For the IVS1 mutation in Pompe, such a strategy does not work. The IVS mutation causes a skipping of exon 2 resulting in the deletion of the canonical translation start side and leads to non-sense mediated decay and thus no protein is transcribed. For antisense therapy to work for the IVS1 mutation in Pompe disease, it needs to induce exon inclusion. However, it is very difficult to induce exon inclusion, because it relies on targeting a splicing repressor sequence, which cannot be reliably predicted. For the IVS1 mutation, an antisense oligomeric compound that blocks a splicing repressor sequence may promote exon 2 inclusion in the presence of the IVS1 mutation. It is known that such repressor sequences may be present anywhere in the gene, either in an exon (termed exonic splicing silencer or ESS) or in an intron (termed intronic splicing silencer or ISS) and may be close to the mutation or far away or maybe close to the affected splice site or far away from it.

Although a number of antisense compounds that are capable of modulating splicing of a target gene in vitro have been reported, there remains a need to identify compounds that may modulate the splicing of the GAA gene.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an antisense compound that is capable of inducing exon inclusion. Another object of the invention is to provide an antisense compound that is capable of targetting exonic splicing silencer (ESS) or in an intronic splicing silencer (ISS). Yet another object of the invention is to provide a antisense compound that is capable of targeting the IVS-1 mutation. The present invention meets one or more of the objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention is directed to an antisense oligomeric compound targeting SEQ ID NO: 1.

In one aspect or embodiment of aspects and/or embodiments thereof, the invention is directed to an antisense oligomeric compound selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO: 2-33 and sequences having at least 80% identity thereof.

In one aspect or embodiment of aspects and/or embodiments thereof, the invention is directed to an antisense oligomeric compound complementary to a polynucleotide having a sequence selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO: 1, 37-40, and sequences having at least 80% identity thereof.

In one aspect or embodiment of aspects and/or embodiments thereof, the invention is directed to an antisense oligomeric compound targeting a sequence selected from the group comprising, c-32-156_-210.

In one aspect or embodiment of aspects and/or embodiments thereof, the invention is directed to an antisense oligomeric compound comprising sequences selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO: 41-540 and SEQ ID NO: 541-1583 and sequences having at least 80% identity thereof.

In one aspect or embodiment of aspects and/or embodiments thereof, the invention is directed to an antisense oligomeric compound complementary to a genomic nucleic acid sequence of GAA gene targeting the location that comprises the position of the following mutation c.-32-13T>G, c.-32-3C>G c.-32-102T>C, c.-32-56C>T, c.-32-46G>A, c.-32-28C>A, c.-32-28C>T, c.-32-21G>A, c.7G>A, c.11G>A, c.15_17AAA, c.17C>T, c.19_21AAA, c.26_28AAA, c.33_35AAA, c.39G>A, c.42C>T, c.90C>T, c.112G>A, c.137C>T, c.164C>T, c.348G>A, c.373C>T, c.413T>A, c.469C>T, c.476T>C, c.476T>G, c.478T>G, c.482C>T, c.510C>T, c.515T>A, c.520G>A, c.546+11C>T, c.546+14G>A, c.546+19G>A, c.546+23C>A, c.547-6, c.1071, c.1254, c.1552-30, c.1256A>T, c.1551+1G>T, c.546G>T, 0.17C>T, c.469C>T, c.546+23C>A, c.-32-102T>C, c.-32-56C>T, c.11G>A, c.112G>A, c.137C>T, and sequences having at least 80% identity thereof.

In one aspect or embodiment of aspects and/or embodiments thereof, the invention is directed to an antisense oligomeric compound as according to the invention are very useful in the treatment Pompe disease.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof at least one of the nucleotides is modified, preferably the oligomeric compound is uniformly modified.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof the sugar of one or more nuclotides is modified, preferably the sugar modification is 2′-O-methyl or 2′-O-methoxyethyl.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof the base of one or more nucleotides is modified.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof the backbone of the oligomeric compound is modified, preferably the antisense oligomeric compounds are morpholino phosphorothioates, or morpholino phosphorodiamidate.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof the antisense oligomeric compound is SEQ ID NO: 12 or SEQ ID NO: 33.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof the antisense oligomeric compound is complementary to a genomic nucleic acid sequence of GAA targeting the location that comprises the position of a mutation selected from the group comprising c.-32-3C>G, c.17C>T c.469C>T c.546+23C>A, c.-32-102T>C c.-32-56C>T c.11G>A c.112G>A, and c.137C>T.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof the antisense oligomeric compound is complementary to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, 37-40.

In one aspect or embodiment of aspects and/or embodiments thereof, the invention is directed to a method of modulating splicing of GAA pre-mRNA in a cell comprising contacting the cell with an antisense oligomeric compound according to the invention.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method for treating Pompe disease in a patient comprising administering said patient with an effective amount of an antisense oligomeric compound according to the invention.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method to restore the function of GAA in a cell wherein said method comprises the administration of step an the antisense oligomeric compound according to the invention.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of correcting abnormal gene expression in a cell, preferably a muscular cell, of a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject an antisense oligomeric compound according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of the present invention and/or embodiments thereof the cell or the patient comprises at least one mutation selected from the group c.-32-13T>G, c.-32-3C>G, c.547-6, c.1071, c.1254, and c.1552-30, preferably the cell or patient comprises mutation c.-32-3C>G or c.-32-13T>G.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of the present invention and/or embodiments thereof exon inclusion is accomplished, preferably inclusion of exon 2.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a compound capable of binding to a genomic nucleic acid sequence of GAA gene targeting the location that comprises the position of the following mutation c.-32-13T>G, c.-32-3C>G c.-32-102T>C, c.-32-56C>T, c.-32-46G>A, c.-32-28C>A, c.-32-28C>T, c.-32-21G>A, c.7G>A, c.11G>A, c.15_17AAA, c.17C>T, c.19_21AAA, c.26_28AAA, c.33_35AAA, c.39G>A, c.42C>T, c.90C>T, c.112G>A, c.137C>T, c.164C>T, c.348G>A, c.373C>T, c.413T>A, c.469C>T, c.476T>C, c.476T>G, c.478T>G, c.482C>T, c.510C>T, c.515T>A, c.520G>A, c.546+11C>T, c.546+14G>A, c.546+19G>A, c.546+23C>A, c.547-6, c.1071, c.1254, c.1552-30, c.1256A>T, c.1551+1G>T, c.546G>T, 0.17C>T, c.469C>T, c.546+23C>A, c.-32-102T>C, c.-32-56C>T, c.11G>A, c.112G>A, c.137C>T.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a compound capable of binding to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, 37-40.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one antisense oligomeric compound according to the invention or a compound according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof said pharmaceutical composition further comprises a pharmaceutical acceptable excipient and/or a cell delivery agent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C. Workflow for the generic analysis of splice site mutations. Changes in splice site usage are detected by PCR using primers annealing to the flanking exons (flanking exon PCR), followed by sequencing (left part). Aberrant splice products are quantified using primers annealing within each exon (exon-internal qPCR; right part).

FIG. 2. Splicing analysis of a healthy control and a Pompe patient harboring the common IVS1 splice site mutation. A) Flanking exon PCR analysis of a healthy control. Exon numbers are indicated above the lanes. PCR products were separated by electrophoresis on an agarose gel. B) As A), but for Pompe patient 1 carrying the IVS1 mutation. Numbers besides the bands refer to the products analyzed in further detail (see below). C) Cartoon of the major splicing variants detected for patient 1. The upper cartoon represents the genomic DNA, in which the mutation is indicated. The lower cartoons refer to the splicing variants detected in this study. The translation start site is indicated as c.1. Exons are indicated as boxes. Non-coding exons are in brown, coding exons in green. Introns are depicted as lines. A broken line is used to indicate that the intron is longer than in this drawing. An alternative splice site is indicated. D) Exon-internal qPCR analysis. Beta-actin was used for normalization. Values obtained from the healthy control were set to 100%. Error bars indicate SD (n=3).

FIG. 3. Splicing analysis of Pompe patients 3 and 4 carrying heterozygous mutations/deletions. A) Flanking exon PCR analysis of patient 3. B) Cartoon of the major splicing variants detected for patient 3. C) Flanking exon PCR analysis of patient 4. D) Cartoon of the major splicing variants detected in patient 4 from allele 1. E) As D) but now for patient 4, allele 2. F) Exon-internal qPCR analysis of patients 3 and 4. Error bars indicate SD (n=3).

FIG. 4. Splicing analysis of Pompe patients carrying homozygous mutations. A) Flanking exon PCR analysis of patient 5. B) Cartoon of the splicing variant detected for patient 5. C) Flanking exon PCR analysis of patient 6. D) Cartoon of the splicing variants detected for patient 6. E) Flanking exon PCR analysis of patient 7. F) Cartoon of the splicing variant detected for patient 7. G) Exon-internal qPCR analysis of patients 5, 6, and 7. Error bars indicate SD (n=3).

FIG. 5. Analysis of complex splicing changes in Pompe patient 8. A) Flanking exon PCR analysis. B) Cartoon of the splicing variants from allele 1, detected from analysis of exon 8. C) Cartoon of the splicing variants from allele 1, detected from analysis of exon 9. D) Cartoon of the splicing variants from allele 2, detected from analysis of exon 10. E) Exon-internal qPCR analysis. Error bars indicate SD (n=3).

FIG. 6: Table 1 Laboratory diagnosis of Pompe patients used in this study.

FIG. 7: Table 2. Summary of splicing events resulting from the mutations studied. Patients 1-3 (in blue) have been characterized previously and served for validation of the assay. Patients 4-8 (in red) have been investigated in this study and all patients revealed novel splicing events.

FIG. 8. Splicing analysis of patient 2. A) Flanking exon PCR analysis. B) Exon-internal PCR analysis.

FIG. 9. Sequence analysis of patient 1. Product Nr. 1 Exon 1-Exon 2: SEQ ID NO: 1617; Product Nr. 1 Exon 2-Exon 3: SEQ ID NO: 1618; Product Nr. 2 Exon 1-Cryptic Exon 2: SEQ ID NO: 1619; Product Nr. 3 Exon 1-Exon 3: SEQ ID NO: 1620.

FIG. 10. Sequence analysis of patient 3 (A) and 4 (B-C). A. Product Nr. 4 Exon 17-Exon 18: SEQ ID NO: 1621; Product Nr. 4 Exon 18-Exon 19: SEQ ID NO: 1622; Product Nr. 5 Exon 17-Exon 19: SEQ ID NO: 1623. B. Product Nr. 6 Exon 1-Exon 2: SEQ ID NO: 1624; Product Nr. 6 Exon 2-Exon 3: SEQ ID NO: 1625; Product Nr. 7 Exon 1-Cryptic Exon 2: SEQ ID NO: 1626; Product Nr. 8 Exon 1-Exon 3: SEQ ID NO: 1627. C. Product Nr. 9 Exon 9-Exon 10: SEQ ID NO: 1633; Product Nr. 9 Exon 10-Exon 11: SEQ ID NO: 1629; Product Nr. 10 Exon 9-Exon 11: SEQ ID NO: 1630.

FIG. 11. A) Flanking exon PCR analysis of patient 5 for exon 7 using a forward primer that anneals to exon 5 and a reverse primer that anneals to exon 8. For comparison, standard flanking exon PCR reactions of exons 6 and 8 are shown. Note that GAA mRNA levels in this patient are low due to NMD. B). Sequence analysis of patient 5. Product Nr. 11 Exon 5-Exon 6: SEQ ID NO: 1631; Product Nr. 11 Exon 6-Exon 7: SEQ ID NO: 1632. C) Sequence analysis of patient 6. Product Nr. 12 Exon 9-Exon 10: SEQ ID NO:1633; Product Nr. 12 Exon 10-Exon 10: SEQ ID NO:1634; Product Nr. 12 Exon 10-Exon 11: SEQ ID NO:1635; Product Nr. 13 Exon 10-Exon 11: SEQ ID NO:1636; Product Nr. 14 Exon 9-Cryptic Exon 10: SEQ ID NO:1637. D) Sequence analysis of patient 7. Product Nr. 15 Exon 8-Exon 9: SEQ ID NO:1638; Product Nr. 15 Exon 9-Exon 10: SEQ ID NO:1639; Product Nr. 16 Exon 8-Exon 10: SEQ ID NO: 1728.

FIG. 12. Sequence analysis of patient 8. Product Nr. 17 Exon 7-Exon 8: SEQ ID NO:1641; Product Nr. 17 Exon 8-Exon 9: SEQ ID NO:1642; Product Nr. 18 Exon 8-Exon 9: SEQ ID NO:1643; Product Nr. 19 Exon 9-Exon 10: SEQ ID NO:1644; Product Nr. 21 Exon 10-Exon 11: SEQ ID NO:1645; Product Nr. 22 Exon 9-Exon 11: SEQ ID NO:1646.

FIG. 13. Cartoon of exons in patient 8 and the locations of PCR primers used for flanking exon PCR analysis. Only those primer pairs are shown that anneal to exons affected by the splicing mutations.

FIG. 14. Splicing predictions using five programs (SpliceSiteFinder-like (SSF), MaxEntScan (MES), NNSplice (NNS), GeneSplicer (GS) and Human Splicing Finder (HSF)) applied to wild type and mutant sequences.

FIG. 15: Flanking exon PCR primers used in Example 1. GAA Exon 2 Forward SEQ ID NO:1647; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1648; GAA Exon 3 Forward SEQ ID NO:1649; Reverse SEQ ID NO: 1650; GAA Exon 4 Forward SEQ ID NO: 1651; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1652; GAA Exon 5 Forward SEQ ID NO: 1653; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1654; GAA Exon 6 Forward SEQ ID NO: 1655; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1656; GAA Exon 7 Forward SEQ ID NO: 1657; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1658; GAA Exon 8 Forward SEQ ID NO: 1659; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1660; GAA Exon 9 Forward SEQ ID NO: 1661; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1662; GAA Exon 10 Forward SEQ ID NO: 1663; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1664; GAA Exon 11 Forward SEQ ID NO: 1665; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1666; GAA Exon 12 Forward SEQ ID NO: 1667; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1668; GAA Exon 13 Forward SEQ ID NO: 1669; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1670; GAA Exon 14 Forward SEQ ID NO: 1671; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1672; GAA Exon 15 Forward SEQ ID NO: 1673; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1674; GAA Exon 16 Forward SEQ ID NO: 1675; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1676; GAA Exon 17 Forward SEQ ID NO: 1677; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1678; GAA Exon 18 Forward SEQ ID NO: 1679; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1680; GAA Exon 19 Forward SEQ ID NO: 1681; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1682.

FIG. 16: Exon-internal qPCR primers used in Example 1. B-actin Forward SEQ ID NO:1683; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1684; GAA Exon 2 Forward SEQ ID NO:1685; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1686; GAA Exon 3 Forward SEQ ID NO:1687; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1688; GAA Exon 4 Forward SEQ ID NO:1689; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1690; GAA Exon 5 Forward SEQ ID NO:1691; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1692; GAA Exon 6 Forward SEQ ID NO:1693; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1694; GAA Exon 7 Forward SEQ ID NO:1695; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1696; GAA Exon 8 Forward SEQ ID NO:1697; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1698; GAA Exon 9 Forward SEQ ID NO:1699; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1700; GAA Exon 10 Forward SEQ ID NO:1701; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1702; GAA Exon 11 Forward SEQ ID NO:1703; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1704; GAA Exon 12 Forward SEQ ID NO:1705; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1706; GAA Exon 13 Forward SEQ ID NO:1707; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1708; GAA Exon 14 Forward SEQ ID NO:1709; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1710; GAA Exon 15 Forward SEQ ID NO:1711; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1712; GAA Exon 16 Forward SEQ ID NO:1713; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1714; GAA Exon 17 Forward SEQ ID NO:1715; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1716; GAA Exon 18 Forward SEQ ID NO:1717; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1718; GAA Exon 19 Forward SEQ ID NO:1719; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1720; GAA Exon 20 Forward SEQ ID NO:1721; Reverse SEQ ID NO:1722.

FIG. 17 The modified U7 snRNA which is used with overhang PCR to quickly generate a new U7 snRNA vector with antisense sequence.

FIG. 18. The modified U7 snRNA lentiviral system is capable of interfering with splicing of CyPA as published previously [Liu, S., et al., Inhibition of HIV-1 multiplication by antisense U7 snRNAs and siRNAs targeting cyclophilin A. Nucleic Acids Res, 2004. 32(12): p. 3752-9]. Upper figure: RT-PCR analysis of exon 4 of cyclophilin A (CyPA-E4). − (lane 1): untransduced HeLa cells. + (lane 2): HeLa cells transduced with modified U7 snRNA lentiviruses (described in FIG. 17) expressing the U7/E4 antisense sequence as described in FIG. 1B of Liu et al. Below: beta actin mRNA. M: molecular weight DNA marker.

FIG. 19. RNA expression analysis using RT-qPCR of a screen performed for sequences in intron 1 and exon 2 of the GAA pre-mRNA with antisense sequences using the U7 small nuclear RNA system. Numbers indicate antisense sequence positions according to table 1.

FIG. 20 RNA expression analysis using RT-PCR of a screen performed for sequences in intron 1 and exon 2 of the GAA pre-mRNA with antisense sequences using the U7 small nuclear RNA system. Numbers indicate antisense sequence positions according to table 1. In the GAA RT-PCR, three major products are observed. The upper product represents exon 2 inclusion, the lower doublet represents partial skipping of exon 2 (upper band of the doublet) and complete skipping of exon 2 (lower band of the doublet). Beta-actin RT-PCR was used as loading control.

FIG. 21. Enzyme activity of GAA of a screen performed for sequences in intron 1 and exon 2 of the GAA pre-mRNA with antisense sequences using the U7 small nuclear RNA system. Numbers indicate antisense sequence positions according to table 1.

FIG. 22. Examples of positions of antisense sequences targeting GAA for the unbiased intron 1 and exon 2 screen.

FIG. 23. Example of a splice prediction with the human splice finder demonstrated an ambivalent prediction for the identified −178 sequence as both enhancer and silencer motifs were predicted.

FIG. 24. Minigene construct and method to identify sequences that affect mRNA splicing. A. Generate a Minigene and add unique restriction sites (in red); B Carry out degenerate PCR with minigene as template; C. Ligate PCR products in vector and generate clones; D. Transfect clones in HEK293 cells and analyse RNa for exon 2 inclusion via Exon flanking RT-PCR and exon internal qPCR; E Sequence analysis of clone. SEQ ID NO:1618.

FIG. 25. Examples of mutations identified in the IVS1 minigene screen. HEK293 cells were transfected with minigene constructs and splicing was analysed after 24 hrs. A. RT-PCR analysis of the wild type minigene (WT), the minigene containing the IVS1 mutation (IVS1), and clones 115 and 97, which were identified in the unbiased minigene-based screen. Product 1: wild type mRNA, product 2: partially skipped exon 2 mRNA, product 3: fully skipped mRNA. B. Cartoon of the splice products. C. RT-qPCR analysis. Values were normalized for transfection efficiency by RT-qPCR analysis of neomycin (expressed from the same plasmid backbone from a separate promoter) and for cell numbers using beta-actin RT-qPCR analysis.

FIG. 26: Correction of aberrant splicing of GAA exon 2 using antisense oligonucleotides in patient 1.

FIG. 27. Correction of aberrant splicing of GAA exon 2 using antisense oligonucleotides in patient 2.

FIG. 28. Specificity of antisense oligomeric compounds.

FIG. 29: Time course of the effect of the SEQ ID NO 33 (AON 2) on patient fibroblast line 1.

FIG. 30: Genomic target sequence for GAA exon inclusion

FIG. 31: Splicing assay of healthy person for N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfatase (arylsulfatase B; ARSB).

FIG. 32: Splicing assay of patient with Mucopolycaccharidosis type VI (Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome) for N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfatase (arylsulfatase 5 B; ARSB).

FIG. 33: Genomic target sequence for GAA exon inclusion. SEQ ID NO:1; AON1 SEQ ID NO:12; AON2 SEQ ID NO: 33.

FIG. 34: Result of inhibition of the nonsense mediated decay (NMD) pathway on inclusion of intron 6 of the GAA mRNA. SEQ ID NO:1584.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The principle behind antisense technology is that an antisense compound, which hybridizes to a target nucleic acid, modulates gene expression activities such as transcription, splicing or translation. This sequence specificity makes antisense compounds extremely attractive as tools for target validation and gene functionalization, as well as therapeutics to selectively modulate the expression of genes or gene products involved in disease.

Although some eukaryotic mRNA transcripts are directly translated, many contain one or more regions, known as “introns,” which are excised from a transcript before it is translated. The remaining (and therefore translated) regions are known as “exons” and are spliced together to form a continuous mRNA sequence, resulting in exon-exon junctions at the site where exons are joined. Targeting exon-exon junctions can be useful in situations where aberrant levels of a normal splice product are implicated in disease, or where aberrant levels of an aberrant splice product are implicated in disease. Targeting splice sites, i.e., intron-exon junctions or exon-intron junctions can also be particularly useful in situations where aberrant splicing is implicated in disease, or where an overproduction of a particular splice product is implicated in disease. Aberrant fusion junctions due to rearrangements or deletions are also suitable targets. mRNA transcripts produced via the process of splicing of two (or more) mRNAs from different gene sources are known as “fusion transcripts” and are also suitable targets. It is also known that introns can be effectively targeted using antisense compounds targeted to, for example, DNA or pre-mRNA. Single-stranded antisense compounds such as oligonucleotide compounds that work via an RNase H mechanism are effective for targeting pre-mRNA. Antisense compounds that function via an occupancy-based mechanism are effective for redirecting splicing as they do not, for example, elicit RNase H cleavage of the mRNA, but rather leave the mRNA intact and promote the yield of desired splice product(s).

It is also known in the art that alternative RNA transcripts can be produced from the same genomic region of DNA. These alternative transcripts are generally known as “variants.” More specifically, “pre-mRNA variants” are transcripts produced from the same genomic DNA that differ from other transcripts produced from the same genomic DNA in either their start or stop position and contain both intronic and exonic sequence. Upon excision of one or more exon or intron regions, or portions thereof during splicing, pre-mRNA variants produce smaller “mRNA variants.” Consequently, mRNA variants are processed pre-mRNA variants and each unique pre-mRNA variant must always produce a unique mRNA variant as a result of splicing. These mRNA variants are also known as “alternative splice variants.” If no splicing of the pre-mRNA variant occurs then the pre-mRNA variant is identical to the mRNA variant.

It is also known in the art that variants can be produced through the use of alternative signals to start or stop transcription and that pre-mRNAs and mRNAs can possess more that one start codon or stop codon. Variants that originate from a pre-mRNA or mRNA that use alternative start codons are known as “alternative start variants” of that pre-mRNA or mRNA. Those transcripts that use an alternative stop codon are known as “alternative stop variants” of that pre-mRNA or mRNA. One specific type of alternative stop variant is the “polyA variant” in which the multiple transcripts produced result from the alternative selection of one of the “polyA stop signals” by the transcription machinery, thereby producing transcripts that terminate at unique polyA sites.

As used herein, “antisense mechanisms” are all those involving hybridization of a compound with target nucleic acid, wherein the outcome or effect of the hybridization is either target degradation or target occupancy with concomitant stalling of the cellular machinery involving, for example, transcription or splicing.

As used herein, “to comprise” and its conjugations is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. In addition the verb “to consist” may be replaced by “to consist essentially of” meaning that a compound or adjunct compound as defined herein may comprise additional component(s) than the ones specifically identified, said additional component(s) not altering the unique characteristic of the invention.

The articles “a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article.

The terms “individual”, “patient”, and “subject” are used interchangeably herein and refer to mammals, in particular primates and preferably humans.

The term “exon” refers to a portion of a gene that is present in the mature form of mRNA. Exons include the ORF (open reading frame), i.e., the sequence which encodes protein, as well as the 5′ and 3′ UTRs (untranslated regions). The UTRs are important for translation of the protein. Algorithms and computer programs are available for predicting exons in DNA sequences (Grail, Grail 2 and Genscan and US 20040219522 for determining an exon-intron junctions).

As used herein, the term “protein coding exon” refers to an exon which codes (or at least partially codes) for a protein (or part of a protein). The first protein coding exon in an mRNA is the exon which contains the start codon. The last protein encoding exon in an mRNA is the exon which contains the stop codon. The start and stop codons can be predicted using any number of well-known programs in the art.

As used herein, the term “internal exon” refers to an exon that is flanked on both its 5′ and 3′ end by another exon. For an mRNA comprising n exons, exon 2 to exon (n-1) are the internal exons. The first and last exons of an mRNA are referred to herein as “external exons”.

The term “intron” refers to a portion of a gene that is not translated into protein and while present in genomic DNA and pre-mRNA, it is removed in the formation of mature mRNA.

The term “messenger RNA” or “mRNA” refers to RNA that is transcribed from genomic DNA and that carries the coding sequence for protein synthesis. Pre-mRNA (precursor mRNA) is transcribed from genomic DNA. In eukaryotes, pre-mRNA is processed into mRNA, which includes removal of the introns, i.e., “splicing”, and modifications to the 5′ and 3′ end (e.g., polyadenylation). mRNA typically comprises from 5′ to 3′; a 5′cap (modified guanine nucleotide), 5′ UTR (untranslated region), the coding sequence (beginning with a start codon and ending with a stop codon), the 3′ UTR, and the poly(A) tail.

The term “nucleic acid sequence” or “nucleic acid molecule” or polynucleotide are used interchangeably and refer to a DNA or RNA molecule in single or double stranded form. An “isolated nucleic acid sequence” refers to a nucleic acid sequence which is no longer in the natural environment from which it was isolated, e.g. the nucleic acid sequence in a cell.

A “mutation” in a nucleic acid molecule is a change of one or more nucleotides compared to the wild type sequence, e.g. by replacement, deletion or insertion of one or more nucleotides. A “point mutation” is the replacement of a single nucleotide, or the insertion or deletion of a single nucleotide.

Sequence identity” and “sequence similarity” can be determined by alignment of two peptide or two nucleotide sequences using global or local alignment algorithms. Sequences may then be referred to as “substantially identical” or “essentially similar” when they are optimally aligned by for example the programs GAP or BESTFIT or the Emboss program “Needle” (using default parameters, see below) share at least a certain minimal percentage of sequence identity (as defined further below). These programs use the Needleman and Wunsch global alignment algorithm to align two sequences over their entire length, maximising the number of matches and minimises the number of gaps. Generally, the default parameters are used, with a gap creation penalty=10 and gap extension penalty=0.5 (both for nucleotide and protein alignments). For nucleotides the default scoring matrix used is DNAFULL and for proteins the default scoring matrix is Blosum62 (Henikoff & Henikoff, 1992, PNAS 89, 10915-10919). Sequence alignments and scores for percentage sequence identity may for example be determined using computer programs, such as EMBOSS (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/Tools/psa/emboss_needle/). Alternatively sequence similarity or identity may be determined by searching against databases such as FASTA, BLAST, etc., but hits should be retrieved and aligned pairwise to compare sequence identity. Two proteins or two protein domains, or two nucleic acid sequences have “substantial sequence identity” if the percentage sequence identity is at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99% or more, preferably 90%, 95%, 98%, 99% or more (as determined by Emboss “needle” using default parameters, i.e. gap creation penalty=10, gap extension penalty=0.5, using scoring matrix DNAFULL for nucleic acids an Blosum62 for proteins). Such sequences are also referred to as ‘variants’ herein, e.g. other variants of antisense oligomeric compounds. It should be understood that sequence with substantial sequence identity do not necessarily have the same length and may differ in length. For example sequences that have the same nucleotide sequence but of which one has additional nucleotides on the 3′- and/or 5′-side are 100% identical.

The term “hybridisation” as used herein is generally used to mean hybridisation of nucleic acids at appropriate conditions of stringency as would be readily evident to those skilled in the art depending upon the nature of the probe sequence and target sequences. Conditions of hybridisation and washing are well known in the art, and the adjustment of conditions depending upon the desired stringency by varying incubation time, temperature and/or ionic strength of the solution are readily accomplished. See, for example, Sambrook, J. et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd edition, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989. The choice of conditions is dictated by the length of the sequences being hybridised, in particular, the length of the probe sequence, the relative G-C content of the nucleic acids and the amount of mismatches to be permitted. Low stringency conditions are preferred when partial hybridisation between strands that have lesser degrees of complementarity is desired. When perfect or near perfect complementarity is desired, high stringency conditions are preferred. For typical high stringency conditions, the hybridisation solution contains 6×S.S.C., 0.01 M EDTA, 1×Denhardt's solution and 0.5% SOS. hybridisation is carried out at about 68° C. for about 3 to 4 hours for fragments of cloned DNA and for about 12 to about 16 hours for total eukaryotic DNA. For lower stringencies the temperature of hybridisation is reduced to about 42° C. below the melting temperature (TM) of the duplex. The TM is known to be a function of the G-C content and duplex length as well as the ionic strength of the solution.

The term “allele(s)” means any of one or more alternative forms of a gene at a particular locus, all of which alleles relate to one trait or characteristic at a specific locus. One allele is present on each chromosome of the pair of homologous chromosomes. These may be identical alleles of the gene (homozygous) or two different alleles (heterozygous).

Mutant allele” refers herein to an allele comprising one or more mutations in the coding sequence (mRNA, cDNA or genomic sequence) compared to the wild type allele. Such mutation(s) (e.g. insertion, inversion, deletion and/or replacement of one or more nucleotide(s)) may lead to the encoded protein having reduced in vitro and/or in vivo functionality (reduced function) or no in vitro and/or in vivo functionality (loss-of-function), e.g. due to the protein e.g. being truncated or having an amino acid sequence wherein one or more amino acids are deleted, inserted or replaced. Such changes may lead to the protein having a different conformation, being targeted to a different sub-cellular compartment, having a modified catalytic domain, having a modified binding activity to nucleic acids or proteins, etc, it may also lead to a different splicing event.

A “fragment” of the gene or nucleotide sequence or antisense oligomeric compound refers to any subset of the molecule, e.g., a shorter polynucleotide or oligonucleotide.

A “variant” refers to a molecule substantially similar to the antisense oligomeric compound or a fragment thereof, such as a nucleotide substitution variant having one or more substituted nucleotides, but which maintains the ability to hybridize with the particular gene. Preferably the variant comprises the mutations as identified by the invention. Variants also include longer sequences.

An “analogue” refers to a non-natural molecule substantially similar to or functioning in relation to either the entire molecule, a variant or a fragment thereof.

As used herein, the terms “precursor mRNA” or “pre-mRNA” refer to an immature single strand of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) that contains one or more intervening sequence(s) (introns). Pre-mRNA is transcribed by an RNA polymerase from a DNA template in the cell nucleus and is comprised of alternating sequences of introns and coding regions (exons). Once a pre-mRNA has been completely processed by the splicing out of introns and joining of exons, it is referred to as “messenger RNA” or “mRNA,” which is an RNA that is comprised exclusively of exons. Eukaryotic pre-mRNAs exist only transiently before being fully processed into mRNA. When a pre-mRNA has been properly processed to an mRNA sequence, it is exported out of the nucleus and eventually translated into a protein by ribosomes in the cytoplasm.

As used herein, the terms “splicing” and “processing” refers to the modification of a pre-mRNA following transcription, in which introns are removed and exons are joined. Pre-mRNA splicing involves two sequential biochemical reactions. Both reactions involve the spliceosomal transesterification between RNA nucleotides. In a first reaction, the 2′-OH of a specific branch-point nucleotide within an intron, which is defined during spliceosome assembly, performs a nucleophilic attack on the first nucleotide of the intron at the 5′ splice site forming a lariat intermediate. In a second reaction, the 3′-OH of the released 5′ exon performs a nucleophilic attack at the last nucleotide of the intron at the 3′ splice site thus joining the exons and releasing the intron lariat. Pre-mRNA splicing is regulated by intronic silencer sequence (ISS), exonic silencer sequences (ESS) and terminal stem loop (TSL) sequences.

As used herein, the terms “intronic silencer sequences (ISS)” and “exonic silencer sequences (TSL)” refer to sequence elements within introns and exons, respectively, that control alternative splicing by the binding of trans-acting protein factors within a pre-mRNA thereby resulting in differential use of splice sites. Typically, intronic silencer sequences are less conserved than the splice sites at exon-intron junctions.

As used herein, “modulation of splicing” refers to altering the processing of a pre-mRNA transcript such that there is an increase or decrease of one or more splice products, or a change in the ratio of two or more splice products. Modulation of splicing can also refer to altering the processing of a pre-mRNA transcript such that a spliced mRNA molecule contains either a different combination of exons as a result of exon skipping or exon inclusion, a deletion in one or more exons, or additional sequence not normally found in the spliced mRNA (e.g., intron sequence).

As used herein, “splice site” refers to the junction between an exon and an intron in a pre-mRNA (unspliced RNA) molecule (also known as a “splice junction”). A “cryptic splice site” is a splice site that is not typically used but may be used when the usual splice site is blocked or unavailable or when a mutation causes a normally dormant site to become an active splice site. An “aberrant splice site” is a splice site that results from a mutation in the native DNA and pre-mRNA.

As used herein, “splice products” or “splicing products” are the mature mRNA molecules generated from the process of splicing a pre-mRNA. Alternatively spliced pre-mRNAs have at least two different splice products. For example, a first splicing product may contain an additional exon, or portion of an exon, relative to a second splicing product. Splice products of a selected pre-mRNA can be identified by a variety of different techniques well known to those of skill in the art.

As used herein “splice donor site” refers to a splice site found at the 5′ end of an intron, or alternatively, the 3′ end of an exon. Splice donor site is used interchangeably with “5′ splice site.” As used herein “splice acceptor site” refers to a splice site found at the 3′ end of an intron, or alternatively, the 5′ end of an exon. Splice acceptor site is used interchangeably with “3′ splice site.”

As used herein, “targeting” or “targeted to” refer to the process of designing an oligomeric compound such that the compound hybridizes with a selected nucleic acid molecule or region of a nucleic acid molecule. Targeting an oligomeric compound to a particular target nucleic acid molecule can be a multistep process. The process usually begins with the identification of a target nucleic acid whose expression is to be modulated. As used herein, the terms “target nucleic acid” and “nucleic acid encoding GAA” encompass DNA encoding GAA, RNA (including pre-mRNA and mRNA) transcribed from such DNA, and also cDNA derived from such RNA. For example, the target nucleic acid can be a cellular gene (or mRNA transcribed from the gene) whose expression is associated with a particular disorder or disease state, or a nucleic acid molecule from an infectious agent. As disclosed herein, the target nucleic acid encodes GAA.

The targeting process usually also includes determination of at least one target region, segment, or site within the target nucleic acid for the antisense interaction to occur such that the desired effect, e.g., modulation of expression, will result.

As used herein, “target mRNA” refers to the nucleic acid molecule to which the oligomeric compounds provided herein are designed to hybridize. In the context of the present disclosure, target mRNA is usually unspliced mRNA, or pre-mRNA. In the context of the present invention, the target mRNA is GAA mRNA or GAA pre-mRNA.

“Region” is defined as a portion of the target nucleic acid having at least one identifiable structure, function, or characteristic. Target regions may include, for example, a particular exon or intron, or may include only selected nucleotides within an exon or intron which are identified as appropriate target regions. Target regions may also be splicing repressor sites. Within regions of target nucleic acids are segments. “Segments” are defined as smaller or sub-portions of regions within a target nucleic acid. “Sites,” as used in the present invention, are defined as unique nucleobase positions within a target nucleic acid. As used herein, the “target site” of an oligomeric compound is the 5′-most nucleotide of the target nucleic acid to which the compound binds.

Target degradation can include an RNase H, which is a cellular endonuclease which cleaves the RNA strand of an RNA:DNA duplex. It is known in the art that single-stranded antisense compounds which are “DNA-like” elicit cleavage by RNAse H. Occupancy-based antisense mechanisms, whereby antisense compounds hybridize yet do not elicit cleavage of the target, include inhibition of translation, modulation of splicing, modulation of poly(A) site selection and disruption of regulatory RNA structure. For the present invention “RNA-like” antisense compounds for use in occupancy-based antisense mechanisms are preferred.

In the context of the present disclosure, an oligomeric compound “targeted to a splice site” refers to a compound that hybridizes with at least a portion of a region of nucleic acid encoding a splice site or a compound that hybridizes with an intron or exon in proximity to a splice site, such that splicing of the mRNA is modulated.

The term “oligomeric compound” refers to a polymeric structure capable of hybridizing to a region of a nucleic acid molecule. This term includes oligonucleotides, oligonucleosides, oligonucleotide analogs, oligonucleotide mimetics and chimeric combinations of these. Oligomeric compounds are routinely prepared linearly but can be joined or otherwise prepared to be circular. Moreover, branched structures are known in the art. Oligomeric compounds can be introduced in the form of single-stranded, double-stranded, circular, branched or hairpins and can contain structural elements such as internal or terminal bulges or loops. Oligomeric double-stranded compounds can be two strands hybridized to form double-stranded compounds or a single strand with sufficient self complementarity to allow for hybridization and formation of a fully or partially double-stranded compound.

The term “antisense oligonucleotide, AON, or antisense oligomeric compound” refers to an oligonucleotide that is capable of interacting with and/or hybridizing to a pre-mRNA or an mRNA having a complementary nucleotide sequence thereby modifying gene expression and/or splicing. Enzyme-dependent antisense oligonucleotides include forms that are dependent on RNase H activity to degrade target mRNA, and include single-stranded DNA, RNA, and phosphorothioate antisense. Steric blocking antisense oligonucleotides (RNase-H independent antisense) interfere with gene expression or other mRNA-dependent cellular processes by binding to a target sequence of mRNA. Steric blocking antisense includes 2′-0 alkyl antisense oligonucleotides, Morpholino antisense oligonucleotides, and tricyclo-DNA antisense oligonucleotides. Steric blocking antisense oligonucleotides are preferred in the present invention.

As used herein, antisense oligonucleotides that are “RNase H-independent” are those compounds which do not elicit cleavage by RNase H when hybridized to a target nucleic acid. RNase H-independent oligomeric compounds modulate gene expression, such as splicing, by a target occupancy-based mechanism. Rnase H-independent antisense oligonucleotides are preferred in the present invention.

As used herein, “hybridization” means the pairing of complementary strands of oligomeric compounds. In the context of the present disclosure, an oligomeric compound is specifically hybridizable when there is a sufficient degree of complementarity to avoid non-specific binding of the oligomeric compound to non-target nucleic acid sequences. One of skill in the art will be able to determine when an oligomeric compound is specifically hybridizable.

As used herein, “complementary” refers to a nucleic acid molecule that can form hydrogen bond(s) with another nucleic acid molecule by either traditional Watson-Crick base pairing or other non-traditional types of pairing (e.g., Hoogsteen or reversed Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding) between complementary nucleosides or nucleotides. In reference to the antisense oligomeric compound of the present disclosure, the binding free energy for a antisense oligomeric compound with its complementary sequence is sufficient to allow the relevant function of the antisense oligomeric compound to proceed and there is a sufficient degree of complementarity to avoid non-specific binding of the antisense oligomeric compound to non-target sequences under conditions in which specific binding is desired, i.e., under physiological conditions in the case of ex vivo or in vivo therapeutic treatment. Determination of binding free energies for nucleic acid molecules is well known in the art (see e.g., Turner et ah, CSH Symp. Quant. Biol. 1/7:123-133 (1987); Frier et al, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 83:9373-77 (1986); and Turner et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 109:3783-3785 (1987)). Thus, “complementary” (or “specifically hybridizable”) are terms that indicate a sufficient degree of complementarity or precise pairing such that stable and specific binding occurs between a antisense oligomeric compound and a pre-mRNA or mRNA target. It is understood in the art that a nucleic acid molecule need not be 100% complementary to a target nucleic acid sequence to be specifically hybridizable. That is, two or more nucleic acid molecules may be less than fully complementary. Complementarity is indicated by a percentage of contiguous residues in a nucleic acid molecule that can form hydrogen bonds with a second nucleic acid molecule. For example, if a first nucleic acid molecule has 10 nucleotides and a second nucleic acid molecule has 10 nucleotides, then base pairing of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 nucleotides between the first and second nucleic acid molecules represents 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% complementarity, respectively. Percent complementarity of an oligomeric compound with a region of a target nucleic acid can be determined routinely using BLAST programs (basic local alignment search tools) and PowerBLAST programs known in the art (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol., 1990, 215, 403-410; Zhang and Madden, Genome Res., 1997, 7, 649-656). Percent homology, sequence identity or complementarity, can be determined by, for example, the Gap program (Wisconsin Sequence Analysis Package, Version 8 for Unix, Genetics Computer Group, University Research Park, Madison Wis.), using default settings, which uses the algorithm of Smith and Waterman (Adv. Appl. Math., 1981, 2, 482-489). “Perfectly” or “fully” complementary nucleic acid molecules means those in which all the contiguous residues of a first nucleic acid molecule will hydrogen bond with the same number of contiguous residues in a second nucleic acid molecule, wherein the nucleic acid molecules either both have the same number of nucleotides (i.e., have the same length) or the two molecules have different lengths.

As used herein, “uniformly modified” or “fully modified” refers to an oligomeric compound, an antisense oligonucleotide, or a region of nucleotides wherein essentially each nucleoside is a sugar modified nucleoside having uniform modification.

As used herein, a “chimeric oligomeric compound”, “chimeric antisense compound” or “chimeric antisense oligonucleotide compound” is a compound containing two or more chemically distinct regions, each comprising at least one monomer unit (i.e., a nucleotide in the case of an oligonucleotide compound). The term “chimeric antisense compound” specifically refers to an antisense compound, having at least one sugar, nucleobase and/or internucleoside linkage that is differentially modified as compared to the other sugars, nucleotides and internucleoside linkages within the same oligomeric compound. The remainder of the sugars, nucleotides and internucleoside linkages can be independently modified or unmodified. In general a chimeric oligomeric compound will have modified nucleosides that can be in isolated positions or grouped together in regions that will define a particular motif. Chimeric oligomeric compounds typically contain at least one region modified so as to confer increased resistance to nuclease degradation, increased cellular uptake, and/or increased binding affinity for the target nucleic acid. In the context of the present disclosure, a “chimeric RNase H-independent antisense compound” is an antisense compound with at least two chemically distinct regions, but which is not susceptible to cleavage by RNase H when hybridized to a target nucleic acid.

As used herein, a “nucleoside” is a base-sugar combination and “nucleotides” are nucleosides that further include a phosphate group covalently linked to the sugar portion of the nucleoside.

As used herein, a nucleoside with a modified sugar residue is any nucleoside wherein the ribose sugar of the nucleoside has been substituted with a chemically modified sugar moiety. In the context of the present disclosure, the chemically modified sugar moieties include, but are not limited to, 2′-O-methoxyethyl, 2′-fluoro, 2′-dimethylaminooxyethoxy, 2′-dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy, 2′-guanidinium, 2′-O-guanidinium ethyl, 2′-carbamate, 2′-aminooxy, 2′-acetamido and locked nucleic acid.

As used herein, compounds “resistant to RNase H degradation” are antisense compounds having a least one chemical modification that increases resistance of the compound to RNase H cleavage. Such modifications include, but are not limited to, nucleotides with sugar modifications. As used herein, a nucleotide with a modified sugar includes, but is not limited to, any nucleotide wherein the 2′-deoxyribose sugar has been substituted with a chemically modified sugar moiety. In the context of the present invention, chemically modified sugar moieties include, but are not limited to, 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl), 2′-fluoro, 2′-dimethylaminooxyethoxy, 2′-dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy, 2′-guanidinium, guanidinium ethyl, 2′-carbamate, 2′-aminooxy, 2′-acetamido, locked nucleic acid (LNA) and ethylene bridged nucleic acid (ENA). Modified compounds resistant to RNase H cleavage are thoroughly described herein and are well know to those of skill in the art.

In the context of the present disclosure, “cellular uptake” refers to delivery and internalization of oligomeric compounds into cells. The oligomeric compounds can be internalized, for example, by cells grown in culture (in vitro), cells harvested from an animal (ex vivo) or by tissues following administration to an animal (in vivo).

By “subject” is meant an organism, which is a donor or recipient of explanted cells or the cells themselves. “Subject” also refers to an organism to which the nucleic acid molecules of this disclosure can be administered. In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, a subject is a mammal or mammalian cell. In another embodiment, a subject is a human or human cell.

As used herein, the term “therapeutically effective amount” means an amount of antisense oligomeric compound that is sufficient, in the subject (e.g., human) to which it is administered, to treat or prevent the stated disease, disorder, or condition. The antisense oligomeric compound of the instant disclosure, individually, or in combination or in conjunction with other drugs, can be used to treat diseases or conditions discussed herein. For example, to treat a particular disease, disorder, or condition, the antisense oligomeric compound can be administered to a patient or can be administered to other appropriate cells evident to those skilled in the art, individually or in combination with one or more drugs, under conditions suitable for treatment. In the present invention the disease is preferably Pompe disease.

As used herein, the phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable” refers to molecular entities and compositions that are physiologically tolerable and do not typically produce an allergic or similar untoward reaction, such as gastric upset, dizziness and the like, when administered to a human. Preferably, as used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable” means approved by a regulatory agency of the Federal or a state government or listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia or other generally recognized pharmacopeia for use in animals, and more particularly in humans.

As used herein, the term “isolated” means that the referenced material is removed from its native environment, e.g., a cell. Thus, an isolated biological material can be free of some or all cellular components, i.e. components of the cells in which the native material occurs naturally (e.g., cytoplasmic or membrane component).

The term “purified” as used herein refers to material that has been isolated under conditions that reduce or eliminate the presence of unrelated materials, i.e. contaminants, including native materials from which the material is obtained. For example, a purified tc-DNA antisense oligomeric compound is preferably substantially free of cell or culture components, including tissue culture components, contaminants, and the like. As used herein, the term “substantially free” is used operationally, in the context of analytical testing of the material. Preferably, purified material substantially free of contaminants is at least 50% pure; more preferably, at least 90% pure, and more preferably still at least 99% pure. Purity can be evaluated by chromatography, gel electrophoresis, immunoassay, composition analysis, biological assay, and other methods known in the art.

In the present description, any concentration range, percentage range, ratio range, or integer range is to be understood to include the value of any integer within the recited range and, when appropriate, fractions thereof (such as one tenth and one hundredth of an integer), unless otherwise indicated. Also, any number range recited herein relating to any physical feature, such as polymer subunits, size or thickness, are to be understood to include any integer within the recited range, unless otherwise indicated. As used herein, “about” or “consisting essentially of” mean+−20% of the indicated range, value, or structure, unless otherwise indicated.

As used herein, the terms “include” and “comprise” are used synonymously. It should be understood that the terms “a” and “an” as used herein refer to “one or more” of the enumerated components. The use of the alternative (e.g., “or”) should be understood to mean either one, both, or any combination thereof of the alternatives.

The term “about” or “approximately” means within a statistically meaningful range of a value. Such a range can be within an order of magnitude, preferably within 50%, more preferably within 20%, more preferably still within 10%, and even more preferably within 5% of a given value or range. The allowable variation encompassed by the term “about” or “approximately” depends on the particular system under study, and can be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In one aspect, the invention is directed to an antisense oligomeric compound targeting SEQ ID NO: 1 and single nucleotide polymorphism of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Previous work by others has resulted in the design of antisense oligomeric compounds that promote exon exclusion in several human disorders including Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). The strategy is simple and straightforward and relies on blocking a well-defined splice site. This results in exon skipping, thereby removing the exon containing the pathogenic gene variant. The resulting mRNA is a little bit shorter resulting in expression of a truncated protein with considerable residual activity, sufficient to at least partially alleviate the disease. The strategy is simple because canonical splice sites are known for virtually all genes. The only requirement is to design an antisense oligomeric compound that binds to the canonical splice site in the pre-mRNA, which will result in blocking of that site and skipping of the exon involved.

A much more difficult task is the reverse process: to promote inclusion rather than exclusion of an exon. To promote exon inclusion, a splice repressor may be blocked using an antisense oligomeric compound. It is however unknown where splice repressors are located. These can be present in introns or in exons and are named intronic or exonic splice silencers (ISSs or ESSs, respectively). There is software available to predict the presence of such silences but these are very unreliable. This is further illustrated by our own experience using the minigene system containing GAA exon 1-3, which failed to confirm activity of predicted splice silencer motifs. The idea to promote exon 2 inclusion of GAA with an antisense oligomeric compound to treat Pompe disease is entirely novel. We show in this in the accompanying patent application (PCT/NL2014/050375) that splice repressor sequences can be identified by two screens: the U7-snRNA antisense oligomeric compound screen, and the ramdom mutagenesis/minigene screen. One target sequence from this screen was successfully targeted with an antisense oligomeric compound, resulting in enhanced inclusion of GAA exon 2 in the context of the IVS1 variant. This corrected the aberrant splicing of exon 2 caused by the IVS1 variant, as visualized by the enhanced abundance of wild type GAA mRNA.

It was found that sequences targeting SEQ ID NO: 1 are able to enhance inclusion of GAA exon 2. Also sequences targeting SEQ ID NO: 37, SEQ ID NO: 38, SEQ ID NO: 39, SEQ ID NO: 40, were found to be able to enhance inclusion of GAA exon 2. It is to be noted that targeting means that at least part of the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 is targeted, e.g. by a sequence that hybridizes with at least a part or by the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1, or that binds to at least a part of SEQ ID NO: 1. Sequences that target may be shorter or longer than the target sequence.

Sequence in cDNA to which SEQ ID AON anneals* sequence of AON (5′→3′): NO: c-32-156_-210 GCTCTGCACTCCCCTGCTGGAGCTTTT  1 CTCGCCCTTCCTTCTGGCCCTCTCCCC A c-32-156_-200 GCTCTGCACTCCCCTGCTGGAGCTTTT 37 CTCGCCCTTCCTTCTGGC c-32-160_-190 TGCACTCCCCTGCTGGAGCTTTTCTCG 38 CCCT c-32-160_195 TGCACTCCCCTGCTGGAGCTTTTCTCG 39 CCCTTCCTT c-32-165_-195 TCCCCTGCTGGAGCTTTTCTCGCCCTT 40 CCTT

Suitably the sequences targeting SEQ ID NO: 1 hybridize with at least a part of SEQ ID NO: 1. Sequences that hybridize may be shorter or longer than the target sequence. Nucleotide sequences SEQ ID NO: 2-33 are oligomers that are able to enhance GAA exon 2 inclusion.

Two variant antisense oligomeric compounds, one of 21 nucleotides (SEQ ID NO: 33) and one of 25 nucleotides (SEQ ID NO: 12), were tested and both were found to enhance exon 2 inclusion. This was accompanied by enhanced GAA enzyme activity of at least 2 fold. It is known that patients with the IVS1 variant have ˜15% leaky wild type splicing. The enhancement of 2 fold results in enzyme activities of ˜30%, which are known to be above the disease threshold of 20% and thus are anticipated to restore at least a part, or even fully the lysosomal glycogen degradation.

In one aspect or embodiment of aspects and/or embodiments thereof, the invention is directed to an antisense oligomeric compound selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO: 2-33 and variants and fragments having at least 80% identity thereof. The antisense oligomeric compound may also target single nucleotide polymorphism of SEQ ID NO: 1, 37, 38, 39, 40. It should be noted that it may not necessary to have the full length of SEQ ID NO: 2-33, fragments having a shorter or longer sequence are also envisioned. The inventors have found the target genomic sequence which enables the inclusion of exon 2 of GAA and a skilled person is capable of finding suitable sequences that target this target genomic sequence, such as SEQ ID NO: 1, 37, 38, 39, 40 and single nucleotide polymorphisms thereof. Exemplary sequences that target this target genomic sequence, such as SEQ ID NO: 1, 37, 38, 39, or 41 may be SEQ ID NO: 2-33, but also variants and fragments having at least 80% identity thereof. In particular shorter fragments such as fragments with 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, or 24 nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 2-33 are envisioned.

In one aspect or embodiment of aspects and/or embodiments thereof, the invention is directed to an antisense oligomeric compound complementary to a polynucleotide having a sequence selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO: 1, 37-40 and single nucleotide polymorphisms thereof. Also sequences having at least 80% identity to antisense oligomeric compound complementary to a polynucleotide having a sequence selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO: 1, 37-40 are envisioned. Antisense oligomeric compound that target one or more than one single nucleotide polymorphisms may be designed.

In one aspect or embodiment of aspects and/or embodiments thereof, the invention is directed to an antisense oligomeric compound targeting a sequence selected from the group comprising the genomic sequence c-32-156_-210.

In one aspect or embodiment of aspects and/or embodiments thereof, the invention is directed to an antisense oligomeric compound comprising sequences selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO: 2-33, 41-1583 and sequences having at least 80% identity thereof.

In one aspect or embodiment of aspects and/or embodiments thereof, the invention is directed to antisense oligomeric compound comprising a sequences selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO: 2-33, and 41-540.

In one aspect or embodiment of aspects and/or embodiments thereof the invention is directed to an antisense oligomeric compound complementary to a genomic nucleic acid sequence of GAA gene targeting the location that comprises the position of the following mutation c.-32-13T>G, c.-32-3C>G c.-32-102T>C, c.-32-56C>T, c.-32-46G>A, c.-32-28C>A, c.-32-28C>T, c.-32-21G>A, c.7G>A, c.11G>A, c.15_17AAA, c.17C>T, c.19_21AAA, c.26_28AAA, c.33_35AAA, c.39G>A, c.42C>T, c.90C>T, c.112G>A, c.137C>T, c.164C>T, c.348G>A, c.373C>T, c.413T>A, c.469C>T, c.476T>C, c.476T>G, c.478T>G, c.482C>T, c.510C>T, c.515T>A, c.520G>A, c.546+11C>T, c.546+14G>A, c.546+19G>A, c.546+23C>A, c.547-6, c.1071, c.1254, c.1552-30, c.1256A>T, c.1551+1G>T, c.546G>T, 0.17C>T, c.469C>T, c.546+23C>A, c.-32-102T>C, c.-32-56C>T, c.11G>A, c.112G>A, c.137C>T.

The above identified mutations have been found to modulate splicing. Targeting the location of the mutation may also modulate the splicing. It is therefore understood that the antisense oligomeric compound targets the location the mutation. The nomenclature of the mutation identifies the location and the mutation. It is understood that the antisense oligomeric compound targets the location of the mutation, and the mutation does not need to be present in the genomic sequence or in the pre-mRNA. The location of the mutation is thus the location of the mutated nucleotide, or the location of the wild type nucleotide of the mutation. The antisense oligomeric compound may be targeted to a sequence comprising nucleotides upstream and nucleotides downstream of the location of the mutation. Suitably the antisense oligomeric compound target a sequence comprising 2-50 nucleotides upstream, and/or 2-50 nucleotides downstream of the location of the mutation, more suitably the antisense oligomeric compound target a sequence comprising 3-45 nucleotides upstream, and/or 3-45 nucleotides downstream of the location of the mutation, more suitably the antisense oligomeric compound target a sequence comprising 5-40 nucleotides upstream, and/or 5-40 nucleotides downstream of the location of the mutation, more suitably the antisense oligomeric compound target a sequence comprising 6-35 nucleotides upstream, and/or 6-35 nucleotides downstream of the location of the mutation, more suitably the antisense oligomeric compound target a sequence comprising 7-33 nucleotides upstream, and/or 7-33 nucleotides downstream of the location of the mutation, more suitably the antisense oligomeric compound target a sequence comprising 8-30 nucleotides upstream, and/or 8-30 nucleotides downstream of the location of the mutation, more suitably the antisense oligomeric compound target a sequence comprising 9-28 nucleotides upstream, and/or 9-28 nucleotides downstream of the location of the mutation, more suitably the antisense oligomeric compound target a sequence comprising 10-25 nucleotides upstream, and/or 10-25 nucleotides downstream of the location of the mutation, more suitably the antisense oligomeric compound target a sequence comprising 11-22 nucleotides upstream, and/or 11-22 nucleotides downstream of the location of the mutation, more suitably the antisense oligomeric compound target a sequence comprising 12-20 nucleotides upstream, and/or 12-20 nucleotides downstream of the location of the mutation, more suitably the antisense oligomeric compound target a sequence comprising 13-18 nucleotides upstream, and/or 13-18 nucleotides downstream of the location of the mutation, more suitably the antisense oligomeric compound target a sequence comprising 14-16 nucleotides upstream, and/or 14-16 nucleotides downstream of the location of the mutation.

The nomenclature is well known to a skilled person and can be found in Dunnen and Antonarakis Human mutation 15:7-12 (2000) and Antonarakis SE, the Nomenclature Working Group. 1998. Recommendations for a nomenclature system for human gene mutations. Hum Mutat 11:1-3 and on the website (http://www.dmd.nl/mutnomen.html. Genomic positions may also be found on www.pompecenter.nl. All of these are incorporated by reference.

Preferably the genomic nucleic acid sequence is pre-mRNA.

These antisense oligomeric compound are useful in the treatment of glycogen storage disease type II/Pompe disease.

In one aspect or the target sequence is an intronic splicing silencer or ISS. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of an aspect and/or embodiments of the invention the target sequence is the GCTCTGCACTCCCCTGCTGGAGCTTTTCTCGCCCTTCCTTCTGGCCCTCTCCCC A (SEQ ID NO: 1). It should be noted that also naturally occurring single nucleotide polymorphism are included. Antisense oligomeric compounds targeting SEQ ID NO: 1 are a very suitable to treat Pompe patients. Exemplary antisense oligomeric compounds targeting SEQ ID NO: 1 are SEQ ID NO: 2-33 and in particular SEQ ID NO: 12 and SEQ ID NO 33. However the invention is not limited to these two sequences. A skilled person is capable of designing antisense oligomeric compounds against target sequence SEQ ID NO: 1, 37, 38, 39, or 40. The antisense oligomeric compounds against target sequenced SEQ ID NO: 1 may have length of 10 to 100 nucleotides, preferably 11 to 75 nucleotides, preferably 12 to 73 nucleotides, preferably 13 to 70 nucleotides, preferably 14 to 65 nucleotides, preferably 15 to 60 nucleotides, preferably 16 to 55 nucleotides, preferably 17 to 50 nucleotides, preferably 18 to 45 nucleotides, preferably 19 to 40 nucleotides, preferably 20 to 38 nucleotides, preferably 21 to 35 nucleotides, preferably 22 to 33 nucleotides, preferably 23 to 30 nucleotides, preferably 24 to 29 nucleotides, preferably 25 to 28 nucleotides, preferably 26 to 27 nucleotides.

Hereunder exemplary antisense oligomeric compounds targeting SEQ ID NO: 1 are given

Sequence in cDNA to which AON anneals* sequence of AON (5′→3′): Seq ID c.-32-180_-156 TGGGGAGAGGGCCAGAAGGAAGGGC  2 c.-32-181_-157 GGGGAGAGGGCCAGAAGGAAGGGCG  3 c.-32-182_-158 GGGAGAGGGCCAGAAGGAAGGGCGA  4 c.-32-183_-159 GGAGAGGGCCAGAAGGAAGGGCGAG  5 c.-32-184_-160 GAGAGGGCCAGAAGGAAGGGCGAGA  6 c.-32-185_-161 AGAGGGCCAGAAGGAAGGGCGAGAA  7 c.-32-186_-162 GAGGGCCAGAAGGAAGGGCGAGAAA  8 c.-32-187_-163 AGGGCCAGAAGGAAGGGCGAGAAAA  9 c.-32-188_-164 GGGCCAGAAGGAAGGGCGAGAAAAG 10 c.-32-189_-165 GGCCAGAAGGAAGGGCGAGAAAAGC 11 c.-32-190_-166 GCCAGAAGGAAGGGCGAGAAAAGCT 12 c.-32-191_-167 CCAGAAGGAAGGGCGAGAAAAGCTC 13 c.-32-192_-168 CAGAAGGAAGGGCGAGAAAAGCTCC 14 c.-32-193_-169 AGAAGGAAGGGCGAGAAAAGCTCCA 15 c.-32-194_-170 GAAGGAAGGGCGAGAAAAGCTCCAG 16 c.-32-195_-171 AAGGAAGGGCGAGAAAAGCTCCAGC 17 c.-32-196_-172 AGGAAGGGCGAGAAAAGCTCCAGCA 18 c.-32-197_-173 GGAAGGGCGAGAAAAGCTCCAGCAG 19 c.-32-198_-174 GAAGGGCGAGAAAAGCTCCAGCAGG 20 c.-32-199_-175 AAGGGCGAGAAAAGCTCCAGCAGGG 21 c.-32-200_-176 AGGGCGAGAAAAGCTCCAGCAGGGG 22 c.-32-201_-177 GGGCGAGAAAAGCTCCAGCAGGGGA 23 c.-32-202_-178 GGCGAGAAAAGCTCCAGCAGGGGAG 24 c.-32-203_-179 GCGAGAAAAGCTCCAGCAGGGGAGT 25 c.-32-204_-180 CGAGAAAAGCTCCAGCAGGGGAGTG 26 c.-32-205_-181 GAGAAAAGCTCCAGCAGGGGAGTGC 27 c.-32-206_-182 AGAAAAGCTCCAGCAGGGGAGTGCA 28 c.-32-207_-183 GAAAAGCTCCAGCAGGGGAGTGCAG 29 c.-32-208_-184 AAAAGCTCCAGCAGGGGAGTGCAGA 30 c.-32-209_-185 AAAGCTCCAGCAGGGGAGTGCAGAG 31 c.-32-210_-186 AAGCTCCAGCAGGGGAGTGCAGAGC 32 c.-32-187_-167 CCAGAAGGAAGGGCGAGAAAA 33

In the above examples the sequences are 25 nucleotides long however longer variants or shorter fragment are also envisioned. Exemplary is SEQ ID NO: 33 which is only 21 nucleotides long and comprises the same nucleotides as SEQ ID NO: 12 but is shorter. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of the present invention and/or embodiments thereof the antisense oligomeric compounds are selected from the group of SEQ ID NO: 2-33 and fragments and variants thereof having at least 80% sequence identity. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of the present invention and/or embodiments thereof the antisense oligomeric compounds are selected from the group of SEQ ID NO: 2-33 and fragments and variants thereof having at least 80%,83%, 85%, 87%, 90%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2-33.

The present invention is also directed to sequences that are at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2-33. Preferably at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2-33, more preferably at least 88% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2-33, more preferably at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2-33. more preferably at least 91% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2-33, more preferably at least 92% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2-33, more preferably at least 93% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2-33, more preferably at least 94% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2-33, more preferably at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2-33, more preferably at least 96% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2-33, more preferably at least 97% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2-33, more preferably at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2-33, more preferably at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2-33.

Preferred antisense sequences are SEQ ID NO: 12, and SEQ ID NO:33 or sequences that are at least 80% identical thereto, preferably at least 85% identical, more preferably at least 88% identical, more preferably at least 90% identical, more preferably at least 91% identical, more preferably at least 92% identical, more preferably at least 93% identical, more preferably at least 94% identical, more preferably at least 95% identical, more preferably at least 96% identical, more preferably at least 97% identical, more preferably at least 98% identical, more preferably at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 12, and/or 33.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of the present invention and/or embodiments thereof the antisense oligomeric compounds are selected from the group of fragments SEQ ID NO: 2-33, wherein the fragment is 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, or 24 nucleotides long. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of the present invention and/or embodiments thereof the antisense oligomeric compounds are selected from the group of fragments SEQ ID NO: 2-33, wherein the fragment is 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, or 22 nucleotides long. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of the present invention and/or embodiments thereof the antisense oligomeric compounds are selected from the group of fragments SEQ ID NO: 2-33, wherein the fragment is 19, 20, or 21 nucleotides long.

The antisense oligomeric compounds may be selected from the group of SEQ ID NO: 41-540:

Sequences identified with U7 screen: SEQ ID NO 41-97 Sequence in GAA cDNA to which AON anneals AON sequence 5′→3′ Seq ID c.-32-319_-300 CCAAACAGCTGTCGCCTGGG  41 c.-32-299_-280 AGGTAGACACTTGAAACAGG  42 c.-32-279_-260 CCCAGGAAGACCAGCAAGGC  43 c.-32-259_-240 TCAAACACGCTTAGAATGTC  44 c.-32-239_-220 GTCTGCTAAAATGTTACAAA  45 c.-32-219_-200 GAGTGCAGAGCACTTGCACA  46 c.-32-199_-180 CGAGAAAAGCTCCAGCAGGG  47 c.-32-179_-160 GAGAGGGCCAGAAGGAAGGG  48 c.-32-159_-140 GCCCTGCTGTCTAGACTGGG  49 c.-32-139_-120 AGGTGGCCAGGGTGGGTGTT  50 c.-32-119_-100 GCACCCAGGCAGGTGGGGTA  51 c.-32-99_-80 CAACCGCGGCTGGCACTGCA  52 c.-32-79_-60 TCAAAGCAGCTCTGAGACAT  53 c.-32-59_-40 GGGCGGCACTCACGGGGCTC  54 c.-32-39_-20 GCTCAGCAGGGAGGCGGGAG  55 c.-32-19_-0 CCTGCGGGAGAAGAAAGCGG  56 c.-30_-12 GCCTGGACAGCTCCTACAGG  57 c.-10_+9 CACTCCCATGGTTGGAGATG  58 c.10_+29 TGGGAGCAGGGCGGGTGCCT  59 c.30_+49 CGCAGACGGCCAGGAGCCGG  60 c.50_+69 GGTTGCCAAGGACACGAGGG  61 c.70_+89 ATGTGCCCCAGGAGTGCAGC  62 c.90_+109 GCAGGAAATCATGGAGTAGG  63 c.110_+129 ACTCAGCTCTCGGGGAACCA  64 c.130_+149 TCCAGGACTGGGGAGGAGCC  65 c.150_+169 GGTGAGCTGGGTGAGTCTCC  66 c.170_+189 TGGTCTGCTGGCTCCCTGCT  67 c.190_+209 GCCTGGGCATCCCGGGGCCC  68 c.210_+229 CTCTGGGACGGCCGGGGTGT  69 c.230_+249 GTCGCACTGTGTGGGCACTG  70 c.250_+269 AAGCGGCTGTTGGGGGGGAC  71 c.270_+289 CCTTGTCAGGGGCGCAATCG  72 c.290_+309 GCACTGTTCCTGGGTGATGG  73 c.310_+329 TAGCAACAGCCGCGGGCCTC  74 c.330_+349 GCCCCTGCTTTGCAGGGATG  75 c.350_+369 CCCCATCTGGGCTCCCTGCA  76 c.370_+389 GGGAAGAAGCACCAGGGCTG  77 c.390_+409 TGTAGCTGGGGTAGCTGGGT  78 c.410_+429 GGAGCTCAGGTTCTCCAGCT  79 c.430_+449 GCCGTGTAGCCCATTTCAGA  80 c.450_+469 GGGTGGTACGGGTCAGGGTG  81 c.470_+489 GTCCTTGGGGAAGAAGGTGG  82 c.490_+509 TCCAGCCGCAGGGTCAGGAT  83 c.510_+529 TCTCAGTCTCCATCATCACG  84 c.530_+546 GTGAAGTGGAGGCGGT  85 c.-32-225_-206 AGAGCACTTGCACAGTCTGC  86 c.-32-223_-204 GCAGAGCACTTGCACAGTCT  87 c.-32-221_-202 GTGCAGAGCACTTGCACAGT  88 c.-32-217_-198 GGGAGTGCAGAGCACTTGCA  89 c.-32-215_-196 AGGGGAGTGCAGAGCACTTG  90 c.-32-213_-194 GCAGGGGAGTGCAGAGCACT  91 c.-32-185_-166 GCCAGAAGGAAGGGCGAGAA  92 c.-32-183_-164 GGGCCAGAAGGAAGGGCGAG  93 c.-32-181_-162 GAGGGCCAGAAGGAAGGGCG  94 c.-32-177_-158 GGGAGAGGGCCAGAAGGAAG  95 c.-32-175_-156 TGGGGAGAGGGCCAGAAGGA  96 c.-32-173_-154 ACTGGGGAGAGGGCCAGAAG  97 variants that affect aberrant splicing of  AON sequence designed  exon 2 caused to block the region by IVS1 in GAA surrounding the exon 1-3 identified splice Seq minigene system element (5′→3′) ID c.-32-102C>T CACCCAGGCAGGTGGGGTAAGGTGG  98 AGCACCCAGGCAGGTGGGGTAAGGT  99 GCAGCACCCAGGCAGGTGGGGTAAG 100 CTGCAGCACCCAGGCAGGTGGGGTA 101 CACTGCAGCACCCAGGCAGGTGGGG 102 GGCACTGCAGCACCCAGGCAGGTGG 103 CTGGCACTGCAGCACCCAGGCAGGT 104 GGCTGGCACTGCAGCACCCAGGCAG 105 GCGGCTGGCACTGCAGCACCCAGGC 106 CCGCGGCTGGCACTGCAGCACCCAG 107 TCAACCGCGGCTGGCACTGCAGCAC 108 ACCCAGGCAGGTGGGGTAAGGTGGC 109 GCACCCAGGCAGGTGGGGTAAGGTG 110 CAGCACCCAGGCAGGTGGGGTAAGG 111 TGCAGCACCCAGGCAGGTGGGGTAA 112 ACTGCAGCACCCAGGCAGGTGGGGT 113 GCACTGCAGCACCCAGGCAGGTGGG 114 TGGCACTGCAGCACCCAGGCAGGTG 115 GCTGGCACTGCAGCACCCAGGCAGG 116 CGGCTGGCACTGCAGCACCCAGGCA 117 CGCGGCTGGCACTGCAGCACCCAGG 118 ACCGCGGCTGGCACTGCAGCACCCA 119 CAACCGCGGCTGGCACTGCAGCACC 120 ATCAACCGCGGCTGGCACTGCAGCA 121 c.-32-56C>T,  GGCTCTCAAAGCAGCTCTGAGACAT 122 c-32-46G>A, GGGGCTCTCAAAGCAGCTCTGAGAC 123 c.-32-28C>A, ACGGGGCTCTCAAAGCAGCTCTGAG 124 c.-32-28C>T, TCACGGGGCTCTCAAAGCAGCTCTG 125 c.-32-21G>A ACTCACGGGGCTCTCAAAGCAGCTC 126 GCACTCACGGGGCTCTCAAAGCAGC 127 CGGCACTCACGGGGCTCTCAAAGCA 128 GGCGGCACTCACGGGGCTCTCAAAG 129 GGGGCGGCACTCACGGGGCTCTCAA 130 GAGGGGCGGCACTCACGGGGCTCTC 131 GGGAGGGGCGGCACTCACGGGGCTC 132 GCGGGAGGGGCGGCACTCACGGGGC 133 AGGCGGGAGGGGCGGCACTCACGGG 134 GGAGGCGGGAGGGGCGGCACTCACG 135 AGGGAGGCGGGAGGGGCGGCACTCA 136 GCAGGGAGGCGGGAGGGGCGGCACT 137 CAGCAGGGAGGCGGGAGGGGCGGCA 138 CTCAGCAGGGAGGCGGGAGGGGCGG 139 GGCTCAGCAGGGAGGCGGGAGGGGC 140 CGGGCTCAGCAGGGAGGCGGGAGGG 141 AGCGGGCTCAGCAGGGAGGCGGGAG 142 AAAGCGGGCTCAGCAGGGAGGCGGG 143 AGAAAGCGGGCTCAGCAGGGAGGCG 144 GAAGAAAGCGGGCTCAGCAGGGAGG 145 GAGAAGAAAGCGGGCTCAGCAGGGA 146 GGGAGAAGAAAGCGGGCTCAGCAGG 147 GCGGGAGAAGAAAGCGGGCTCAGCA 148 CTGCGGGAGAAGAAAGCGGGCTCAG 149 GCCTGCGGGAGAAGAAAGCGGGCTC 150 AGGCCTGCGGGAGAAGAAAGCGGGC 151 ACTCCCATGGTTGGAGATGGCCTGG 152 TCACTCCCATGGTTGGAGATGGCCT 153 CCTCACTCCCATGGTTGGAGATGGC 154 TGCCTCACTCCCATGGTTGGAGATG 155 GGTGCCTCACTCCCATGGTTGGAGA 156 CGGGTGCCTCACTCCCATGGTTGGA 157 GGCGGGTGCCTCACTCCCATGGTTG 158 AGGGCGGGTGCCTCACTCCCATGGT 159 GCAGGGCGGGTGCCTCACTCCCATG 160 GAGCAGGGCGGGTGCCTCACTCCCA 161 GGGAGCAGGGCGGGTGCCTCACTCC 162 GTGGGAGCAGGGCGGGTGCCTCACT 163 CGGTGGGAGCAGGGCGGGTGCCTCA 164 GCCGGTGGGAGCAGGGCGGGTGCCT 165 GAGCCGGTGGGAGCAGGGCGGGTGC 166 AGGAGCCGGTGGGAGCAGGGCGGGT 167 CCAGGAGCCGGTGGGAGCAGGGCGG 168 GGCCAGGAGCCGGTGGGAGCAGGGC 169 ACGGCCAGGAGCCGGTGGGAGCAGG 170 AGACGGCCAGGAGCCGGTGGGAGCA 171 GCAGACGGCCAGGAGCCGGTGGGAG 172 GCGCAGACGGCCAGGAGCCGGTGGG 173 GGGCGCAGACGGCCAGGAGCCGGTG 174 GAGGGCGCAGACGGCCAGGAGCCGG 175 ACGAGGGCGCAGACGGCCAGGAGCC 176 ACACGAGGGCGCAGACGGCCAGGAG 177 GGACACGAGGGCGCAGACGGCCAGG 178 AAGGACACGAGGGCGCAGACGGCCA 179 CCAAGGACACGAGGGCGCAGACGGC 180 TGCCAAGGACACGAGGGCGCAGACG 181 GCTCTCAAAGCAGCTCTGAGACATC 182 GGGCTCTCAAAGCAGCTCTGAGACA 183 CTCACGGGGCTCTCAAAGCAGCTCT 184 CACTCACGGGGCTCTCAAAGCAGCT 185 GGCACTCACGGGGCTCTCAAAGCAG 186 GCGGCACTCACGGGGCTCTCAAAGC 187 GGGCGGCACTCACGGGGCTCTCAAA 188 AGGGGCGGCACTCACGGGGCTCTCA 189 GGAGGGGCGGCACTCACGGGGCTCT 190 CGGGAGGGGCGGCACTCACGGGGCT 191 GGCGGGAGGGGCGGCACTCACGGGG 192 GAGGCGGGAGGGGCGGCACTCACGG 193 GGGAGGCGGGAGGGGCGGCACTCAC 194 CAGGGAGGCGGGAGGGGCGGCACTC 195 AGCAGGGAGGCGGGAGGGGCGGCAC 196 TCAGCAGGGAGGCGGGAGGGGCGGC 197 GCTCAGCAGGGAGGCGGGAGGGGCG 198 GGGCTCAGCAGGGAGGCGGGAGGGG 199 GCGGGCTCAGCAGGGAGGCGGGAGG 200 AAGCGGGCTCAGCAGGGAGGCGGGA 201 GAAAGCGGGCTCAGCAGGGAGGCGG 202 AAGAAAGCGGGCTCAGCAGGGAGGC 203 AGAAGAAAGCGGGCTCAGCAGGGAG 204 GGAGAAGAAAGCGGGCTCAGCAGGG 205 CGGGAGAAGAAAGCGGGCTCAGCAG 206 TGCGGGAGAAGAAAGCGGGCTCAGC 207 CCTGCGGGAGAAGAAAGCGGGCTCA 208 GGCCTGCGGGAGAAGAAAGCGGGCT 209 CAGGCCTGCGGGAGAAGAAAGCGGG 210 CGGGGCTCTCAAAGCAGCTCTGAGA 211 CACGGGGCTCTCAAAGCAGCTCTGA 212 c.7G>A, CTCCCATGGTTGGAGATGGCCTGGA 213 c.11G>A, CACTCCCATGGTTGGAGATGGCCTG 214 c.15_17AAA, CTCACTCCCATGGTTGGAGATGGCC 215 c.17C>T, GCCTCACTCCCATGGTTGGAGATGG 216 c.19_21AAA, GTGCCTCACTCCCATGGTTGGAGAT 217 c.26_28AAA, GGGTGCCTCACTCCCATGGTTGGAG 218 c.33_35AAA, GCGGGTGCCTCACTCCCATGGTTGG 219 c.39G>A, GGGCGGGTGCCTCACTCCCATGGTT 220 c.42C>T CAGGGCGGGTGCCTCACTCCCATGG 221 AGCAGGGCGGGTGCCTCACTCCCAT 222 GGAGCAGGGCGGGTGCCTCACTCCC 223 TGGGAGCAGGGCGGGTGCCTCACTC 224 GGTGGGAGCAGGGCGGGTGCCTCAC 225 CCGGTGGGAGCAGGGCGGGTGCCTC 226 AGCCGGTGGGAGCAGGGCGGGTGCC 227 GGAGCCGGTGGGAGCAGGGCGGGTG 228 CAGGAGCCGGTGGGAGCAGGGCGGG 229 GCCAGGAGCCGGTGGGAGCAGGGCG 230 CGGCCAGGAGCCGGTGGGAGCAGGG 231 GACGGCCAGGAGCCGGTGGGAGCAG 232 CAGACGGCCAGGAGCCGGTGGGAGC 233 CGCAGACGGCCAGGAGCCGGTGGGA 234 GGCGCAGACGGCCAGGAGCCGGTGG 235 AGGGCGCAGACGGCCAGGAGCCGGT 236 CGAGGGCGCAGACGGCCAGGAGCCG 237 CACGAGGGCGCAGACGGCCAGGAGC 238 GACACGAGGGCGCAGACGGCCAGGA 239 AGGACACGAGGGCGCAGACGGCCAG 240 CAAGGACACGAGGGCGCAGACGGCC 241 GCCAAGGACACGAGGGCGCAGACGG 242 TTGCCAAGGACACGAGGGCGCAGAC 243 c.90C>T, GGATGTGCCCCAGGAGTGCAGCGGT 244 c.112G>A, TAGGATGTGCCCCAGGAGTGCAGCG 245 c.137C>T, AGTAGGATGTGCCCCAGGAGTGCAG 246 c.164C>T GGAGTAGGATGTGCCCCAGGAGTGC 247 ATGGAGTAGGATGTGCCCCAGGAGT 248 TCATGGAGTAGGATGTGCCCCAGGA 249 AATCATGGAGTAGGATGTGCCCCAG 250 GAAATCATGGAGTAGGATGTGCCCC 251 AGGAAATCATGGAGTAGGATGTGCC 252 GCAGGAAATCATGGAGTAGGATGTG 253 CAGCAGGAAATCATGGAGTAGGATG 254 ACCAGCAGGAAATCATGGAGTAGGA 255 GAACCAGCAGGAAATCATGGAGTAG 256 GGGAACCAGCAGGAAATCATGGAGT 257 CGGGGAACCAGCAGGAAATCATGGA 258 CTCGGGGAACCAGCAGGAAATCATG 259 CTCTCGGGGAACCAGCAGGAAATCA 260 AGCTCTCGGGGAACCAGCAGGAAAT 261 TCAGCTCTCGGGGAACCAGCAGGAA 262 ACTCAGCTCTCGGGGAACCAGCAGG 263 CCACTCAGCTCTCGGGGAACCAGCA 264 AGCCACTCAGCTCTCGGGGAACCAG 265 GGAGCCACTCAGCTCTCGGGGAACC 266 GAGGAGCCACTCAGCTCTCGGGGAA 267 GGGAGGAGCCACTCAGCTCTCGGGG 268 TGGGGAGGAGCCACTCAGCTCTCGG 269 ACTGGGGAGGAGCCACTCAGCTCTC 270 GGACTGGGGAGGAGCCACTCAGCTC 271 CAGGACTGGGGAGGAGCCACTCAGC 272 TCCAGGACTGGGGAGGAGCCACTCA 273 CCTCCAGGACTGGGGAGGAGCCACT 274 CTCCTCCAGGACTGGGGAGGAGCCA 275 GTCTCCTCCAGGACTGGGGAGGAGC 276 GAGTCTCCTCCAGGACTGGGGAGGA 277 GTGAGTCTCCTCCAGGACTGGGGAG 278 GGGTGAGTCTCCTCCAGGACTGGGG 279 CTGGGTGAGTCTCCTCCAGGACTGG 280 AGCTGGGTGAGTCTCCTCCAGGACT 281 TGAGCTGGGTGAGTCTCCTCCAGGA 282 GGTGAGCTGGGTGAGTCTCCTCCAG 283 CTGGTGAGCTGGGTGAGTCTCCTCC 284 TGCTGGTGAGCTGGGTGAGTCTCCT 285 CCTGCTGGTGAGCTGGGTGAGTCTC 286 TCCCTGCTGGTGAGCTGGGTGAGTC 287 GCTCCCTGCTGGTGAGCTGGGTGAG 288 TGGCTCCCTGCTGGTGAGCTGGGTG 289 GCTGGCTCCCTGCTGGTGAGCTGGG 290 CTGCTGGCTCCCTGCTGGTGAGCTG 291 GTCTGCTGGCTCCCTGCTGGTGAGC 292 GATGTGCCCCAGGAGTGCAGCGGTT 293 AGGATGTGCCCCAGGAGTGCAGCGG 294 GTAGGATGTGCCCCAGGAGTGCAGC 295 GAGTAGGATGTGCCCCAGGAGTGCA 296 TGGAGTAGGATGTGCCCCAGGAGTG 297 CATGGAGTAGGATGTGCCCCAGGAG 298 ATCATGGAGTAGGATGTGCCCCAGG 299 AAATCATGGAGTAGGATGTGCCCCA 300 GGAAATCATGGAGTAGGATGTGCCC 301 CAGGAAATCATGGAGTAGGATGTGC 302 AGCAGGAAATCATGGAGTAGGATGT 303 CCAGCAGGAAATCATGGAGTAGGAT 304 AACCAGCAGGAAATCATGGAGTAGG 305 GGAACCAGCAGGAAATCATGGAGTA 306 GGGGAACCAGCAGGAAATCATGGAG 307 TCGGGGAACCAGCAGGAAATCATGG 308 TCTCGGGGAACCAGCAGGAAATCAT 309 GCTCTCGGGGAACCAGCAGGAAATC 310 CAGCTCTCGGGGAACCAGCAGGAAA 311 CTCAGCTCTCGGGGAACCAGCAGGA 312 CACTCAGCTCTCGGGGAACCAGCAG 313 GCCACTCAGCTCTCGGGGAACCAGC 314 GAGCCACTCAGCTCTCGGGGAACCA 315 AGGAGCCACTCAGCTCTCGGGGAAC 316 GGAGGAGCCACTCAGCTCTCGGGGA 317 GGGGAGGAGCCACTCAGCTCTCGGG 318 CTGGGGAGGAGCCACTCAGCTCTCG 319 GACTGGGGAGGAGCCACTCAGCTCT 320 AGGACTGGGGAGGAGCCACTCAGCT 321 CCAGGACTGGGGAGGAGCCACTCAG 322 CTCCAGGACTGGGGAGGAGCCACTC 323 TCCTCCAGGACTGGGGAGGAGCCAC 324 TCTCCTCCAGGACTGGGGAGGAGCC 325 AGTCTCCTCCAGGACTGGGGAGGAG 326 TGAGTCTCCTCCAGGACTGGGGAGG 327 GGTGAGTCTCCTCCAGGACTGGGGA 328 TGGGTGAGTCTCCTCCAGGACTGGG 329 GCTGGGTGAGTCTCCTCCAGGACTG 330 GAGCTGGGTGAGTCTCCTCCAGGAC 331 GTGAGCTGGGTGAGTCTCCTCCAGG 332 TGGTGAGCTGGGTGAGTCTCCTCCA 333 GCTGGTGAGCTGGGTGAGTCTCCTC 334 CTGCTGGTGAGCTGGGTGAGTCTCC 335 CCCTGCTGGTGAGCTGGGTGAGTCT 336 CTCCCTGCTGGTGAGCTGGGTGAGT 337 GGCTCCCTGCTGGTGAGCTGGGTGA 338 CTGGCTCCCTGCTGGTGAGCTGGGT 339 TGCTGGCTCCCTGCTGGTGAGCTGG 340 TCTGCTGGCTCCCTGCTGGTGAGCT 341 GGTCTGCTGGCTCCCTGCTGGTGAG 342 c.348G>A, AGCCCCTGCTTTGCAGGGATGTAGC 343 c.373C>T GCAGCCCCTGCTTTGCAGGGATGTA 344 CTGCAGCCCCTGCTTTGCAGGGATG 345 CCCTGCAGCCCCTGCTTTGCAGGGA 346 CTCCCTGCAGCCCCTGCTTTGCAGG 347 GGCTCCCTGCAGCCCCTGCTTTGCA 348 TGGGCTCCCTGCAGCCCCTGCTTTG 349 TCTGGGCTCCCTGCAGCCCCTGCTT 350 CATCTGGGCTCCCTGCAGCCCCTGC 351 CCCATCTGGGCTCCCTGCAGCCCCT 352 GCCCCATCTGGGCTCCCTGCAGCCC 353 CTGCCCCATCTGGGCTCCCTGCAGC 354 GGCTGCCCCATCTGGGCTCCCTGCA 355 AGGGCTGCCCCATCTGGGCTCCCTG 356 CCAGGGCTGCCCCATCTGGGCTCCC 357 CACCAGGGCTGCCCCATCTGGGCTC 358 AGCACCAGGGCTGCCCCATCTGGGC 359 GAAGCACCAGGGCTGCCCCATCTGG 360 AAGAAGCACCAGGGCTGCCCCATCT 361 GGAAGAAGCACCAGGGCTGCCCCAT 362 TGGGAAGAAGCACCAGGGCTGCCCC 363 GGTGGGAAGAAGCACCAGGGCTGCC 364 TGGGTGGGAAGAAGCACCAGGGCTG 365 GCTGGGTGGGAAGAAGCACCAGGGC 366 GCCCCTGCTTTGCAGGGATGTAGCA 367 CAGCCCCTGCTTTGCAGGGATGTAG 368 TGCAGCCCCTGCTTTGCAGGGATGT 369 CCTGCAGCCCCTGCTTTGCAGGGAT 370 TCCCTGCAGCCCCTGCTTTGCAGGG 371 GCTCCCTGCAGCCCCTGCTTTGCAG 372 GGGCTCCCTGCAGCCCCTGCTTTGC 373 CTGGGCTCCCTGCAGCCCCTGCTTT 374 ATCTGGGCTCCCTGCAGCCCCTGCT 375 CCATCTGGGCTCCCTGCAGCCCCTG 376 CCCCATCTGGGCTCCCTGCAGCCCC 377 TGCCCCATCTGGGCTCCCTGCAGCC 378 GCTGCCCCATCTGGGCTCCCTGCAG 379 GGGCTGCCCCATCTGGGCTCCCTGC 380 CAGGGCTGCCCCATCTGGGCTCCCT 381 ACCAGGGCTGCCCCATCTGGGCTCC 382 GCACCAGGGCTGCCCCATCTGGGCT 383 AAGCACCAGGGCTGCCCCATCTGGG 384 AGAAGCACCAGGGCTGCCCCATCTG 385 GAAGAAGCACCAGGGCTGCCCCATC 386 GGGAAGAAGCACCAGGGCTGCCCCA 387 GTGGGAAGAAGCACCAGGGCTGCCC 388 GGGTGGGAAGAAGCACCAGGGCTGC 389 CTGGGTGGGAAGAAGCACCAGGGCT 390 AGCTGGGTGGGAAGAAGCACCAGGG 391 c.413T>A CAGCTTGTAGCTGGGGTAGCTGGGT 392 TCCAGCTTGTAGCTGGGGTAGCTGG 393 TCTCCAGCTTGTAGCTGGGGTAGCT 394 GTTCTCCAGCTTGTAGCTGGGGTAG 395 AGGTTCTCCAGCTTGTAGCTGGGGT 396 TCAGGTTCTCCAGCTTGTAGCTGGG 397 GCTCAGGTTCTCCAGCTTGTAGCTG 398 GAGCTCAGGTTCTCCAGCTTGTAGC 399 AGGAGCTCAGGTTCTCCAGCTTGTA 400 AGAGGAGCTCAGGTTCTCCAGCTTG 401 TCAGAGGAGCTCAGGTTCTCCAGCT 402 TTTCAGAGGAGCTCAGGTTCTCCAG 403 AGCTTGTAGCTGGGGTAGCTGGGTG 404 CCAGCTTGTAGCTGGGGTAGCTGGG 405 CTCCAGCTTGTAGCTGGGGTAGCTG 406 TTCTCCAGCTTGTAGCTGGGGTAGC 407 GGTTCTCCAGCTTGTAGCTGGGGTA 408 CAGGTTCTCCAGCTTGTAGCTGGGG 409 CTCAGGTTCTCCAGCTTGTAGCTGG 410 AGCTCAGGTTCTCCAGCTTGTAGCT 411 GGAGCTCAGGTTCTCCAGCTTGTAG 412 GAGGAGCTCAGGTTCTCCAGCTTGT 413 CAGAGGAGCTCAGGTTCTCCAGCTT 414 TTCAGAGGAGCTCAGGTTCTCCAGC 415 ATTTCAGAGGAGCTCAGGTTCTCCA 416 c.469C>T, GGGGTGGTACGGGTCAGGGTGGCCG 417 c.476T>C, TGGGGGTGGTACGGGTCAGGGTGGC 418 c.476T>G, GGTGGGGGTGGTACGGGTCAGGGTG 419 c.478T>G, AAGGTGGGGGTGGTACGGGTCAGGG 420 c.482C>T AGAAGGTGGGGGTGGTACGGGTCAG 421 GAAGAAGGTGGGGGTGGTACGGGTC 422 GGGAAGAAGGTGGGGGTGGTACGGG 423 TGGGGAAGAAGGTGGGGGTGGTACG 424 CTTGGGGAAGAAGGTGGGGGTGGTA 425 TCCTTGGGGAAGAAGGTGGGGGTGG 426 TGTCCTTGGGGAAGAAGGTGGGGGT 427 GATGTCCTTGGGGAAGAAGGTGGGG 428 AGGATGTCCTTGGGGAAGAAGGTGG 429 TCAGGATGTCCTTGGGGAAGAAGGT 430 GGTCAGGATGTCCTTGGGGAAGAAG 431 AGGGTCAGGATGTCCTTGGGGAAGA 432 GCAGGGTCAGGATGTCCTTGGGGAA 433 CCGCAGGGTCAGGATGTCCTTGGGG 434 AGCCGCAGGGTCAGGATGTCCTTGG 435 GGGTGGTACGGGTCAGGGTGGCCGT 436 GGGGGTGGTACGGGTCAGGGTGGCC 437 GTGGGGGTGGTACGGGTCAGGGTGG 438 AGGTGGGGGTGGTACGGGTCAGGGT 439 GAAGGTGGGGGTGGTACGGGTCAGG 440 AAGAAGGTGGGGGTGGTACGGGTCA 441 GGAAGAAGGTGGGGGTGGTACGGGT 442 GGGGAAGAAGGTGGGGGTGGTACGG 443 TTGGGGAAGAAGGTGGGGGTGGTAC 444 CCTTGGGGAAGAAGGTGGGGGTGGT 445 GTCCTTGGGGAAGAAGGTGGGGGTG 446 ATGTCCTTGGGGAAGAAGGTGGGGG 447 GGATGTCCTTGGGGAAGAAGGTGGG 448 CAGGATGTCCTTGGGGAAGAAGGTG 449 GTCAGGATGTCCTTGGGGAAGAAGG 450 GGGTCAGGATGTCCTTGGGGAAGAA 451 CAGGGTCAGGATGTCCTTGGGGAAG 452 CGCAGGGTCAGGATGTCCTTGGGGA 453 GCCGCAGGGTCAGGATGTCCTTGGG 454 CAGCCGCAGGGTCAGGATGTCCTTG 455 c.510C>T, CGTCCAGCCGCAGGGTCAGGATGTC 456 c.515T>A, CACGTCCAGCCGCAGGGTCAGGATG 457 c.520G>A ATCACGTCCAGCCGCAGGGTCAGGA 458 TCATCACGTCCAGCCGCAGGGTCAG 459 CATCATCACGTCCAGCCGCAGGGTC 460 TCCATCATCACGTCCAGCCGCAGGG 461 TCTCCATCATCACGTCCAGCCGCAG 462 AGTCTCCATCATCACGTCCAGCCGC 463 TCAGTCTCCATCATCACGTCCAGCC 464 TCTCAGTCTCCATCATCACGTCCAG 465 GTTCTCAGTCTCCATCATCACGTCC 466 CGGTTCTCAGTCTCCATCATCACGT 467 GGCGGTTCTCAGTCTCCATCATCAC 468 GAGGCGGTTCTCAGTCTCCATCATC 469 TGGAGGCGGTTCTCAGTCTCCATCA 470 AGTGGAGGCGGTTCTCAGTCTCCAT 471 GAAGTGGAGGCGGTTCTCAGTCTCC 472 GTCCAGCCGCAGGGTCAGGATGTCC 473 ACGTCCAGCCGCAGGGTCAGGATGT 474 TCACGTCCAGCCGCAGGGTCAGGAT 475 CATCACGTCCAGCCGCAGGGTCAGG 476 ATCATCACGTCCAGCCGCAGGGTCA 477 CCATCATCACGTCCAGCCGCAGGGT 478 CTCCATCATCACGTCCAGCCGCAGG 479 GTCTCCATCATCACGTCCAGCCGCA 480 CAGTCTCCATCATCACGTCCAGCCG 481 CTCAGTCTCCATCATCACGTCCAGC 482 TTCTCAGTCTCCATCATCACGTCCA 483 GGTTCTCAGTCTCCATCATCACGTC 484 GCGGTTCTCAGTCTCCATCATCACG 485 AGGCGGTTCTCAGTCTCCATCATCA 486 GGAGGCGGTTCTCAGTCTCCATCAT 487 GTGGAGGCGGTTCTCAGTCTCCATC 488 AAGTGGAGGCGGTTCTCAGTCTCCA 489 TGAAGTGGAGGCGGTTCTCAGTCTC 490 c.546+11C>T, TGCCCTGCCCACCGTGAAGTGGAGG 491 c.546+14G>A, CCTGCCCTGCCCACCGTGAAGTGGA 492 c.546+19G>A, CCCCTGCCCTGCCCACCGTGAAGTG 493 c.546+23C>A CGCCCCTGCCCTGCCCACCGTGAAG 494 CCCGCCCCTGCCCTGCCCACCGTGA 495 GCCCTGCCCACCGTGAAGTGGAGGC 496 CTGCCCTGCCCACCGTGAAGTGGAG 497 CCCTGCCCTGCCCACCGTGAAGTGG 498 GCCCCTGCCCTGCCCACCGTGAAGT 499 CCGCCCCTGCCCTGCCCACCGTGAA 500 CCCCGCCCCTGCCCTGCCCACCGTG 501 GCCCCCGCCCCTGCCCTGCCCACCG 502 CCGCCCCCGCCCCTGCCCTGCCCAC 503 CGCCGCCCCCGCCCCTGCCCTGCCC 504 GCCGCCGCCCCCGCCCCTGCCCTGC 505 TGGCCGCCGCCCCCGCCCCTGCCCT 506 CCTGGCCGCCGCCCCCGCCCCTGCC 507 GCCCTGGCCGCCGCCCCCGCCCCTG 508 CTGCCCTGGCCGCCGCCCCCGCCCC 509 CTCTGCCCTGGCCGCCGCCCCCGCC 510 CCCTCTGCCCTGGCCGCCGCCCCCG 511 CACCCTCTGCCCTGGCCGCCGCCCC 512 CGCACCCTCTGCCCTGGCCGCCGCC 513 CGCGCACCCTCTGCCCTGGCCGCCG 514 CCCCCGCCCCTGCCCTGCCCACCGT 515 CGCCCCCGCCCCTGCCCTGCCCACC 516 GCCGCCCCCGCCCCTGCCCTGCCCA 517 CCGCCGCCCCCGCCCCTGCCCTGCC 518 GGCCGCCGCCCCCGCCCCTGCCCTG 519 CTGGCCGCCGCCCCCGCCCCTGCCC 520 CCCTGGCCGCCGCCCCCGCCCCTGC 521 TGCCCTGGCCGCCGCCCCCGCCCCT 522 TCTGCCCTGGCCGCCGCCCCCGCCC 523 CCTCTGCCCTGGCCGCCGCCCCCGC 524 ACCCTCTGCCCTGGCCGCCGCCCCC 525 GCACCCTCTGCCCTGGCCGCCGCCC 526 GCGCACCCTCTGCCCTGGCCGCCGC 527 c.547-6 AGAGATGGGGGTTTATTGATGTTCC 528 GAAGAGATGGGGGTTTATTGATGTT 529 TAGAAGAGATGGGGGTTTATTGATG 530 TCTAGAAGAGATGGGGGTTTATTGA 531 GATCTAGAAGAGATGGGGGTTTATT 532 TTGATCTAGAAGAGATGGGGGTTTA 533 CTTTGATCTAGAAGAGATGGGGGTT 534 ATCTTTGATCTAGAAGAGATGGGGG 535 GGATCTTTGATCTAGAAGAGATGGG 536 CTGGATCTTTGATCTAGAAGAGATG 537 AGCTGGATCTTTGATCTAGAAGAGA 538 TTAGCTGGATCTTTGATCTAGAAGA 539 TGTTAGCTGGATCTTTGATCTAGAA 540

In the above examples the sequences are 25 nucleotides long however longer variants or shorter fragment are also envisioned. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of the present invention and/or embodiments thereof the antisense oligomeric compounds are selected from the group of SEQ ID NO: 41-540 and fragments and variants thereof having at least 80% sequence identity. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of the present invention and/or embodiments thereof the antisense oligomeric compounds are selected from the group of SEQ ID NO: 41-540 and fragments and variants thereof having at least 80%,83%, 85%, 87%, 90%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 41-540.

The present invention is also directed to sequences that are at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 41-540. Preferably at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 41-540, more preferably at least 88% identical to SEQ ID NO: 41-540, more preferably at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 41-540. more preferably at least 91% identical to SEQ ID NO: 41-540, more preferably at least 92% identical to SEQ ID NO: 41-540, more preferably at least 93% identical to SEQ ID NO: 41-540, more preferably at least 94% identical to SEQ ID NO: 41-540, more preferably at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 41-540, more preferably at least 96% identical to SEQ ID NO: 41-540, more preferably at least 97% identical to SEQ ID NO: 41-540, more preferably at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 41-540, more preferably at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 41-540.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of the present invention and/or embodiments thereof the antisense oligomeric compounds are selected from the group of fragments SEQ ID NO: 41-540, wherein the fragment is 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, or 24 nucleotides long. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of the present invention and/or embodiments thereof the antisense oligomeric compounds are selected from the group of fragments SEQ ID NO: 41-540, wherein the fragment is 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, or 22 nucleotides long. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of the present invention and/or embodiments thereof the antisense oligomeric compounds are selected from the group of fragments SEQ ID NO: 41-540, wherein the fragment is 19, 20, or 21 nucleotides long.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof the target sequence provides exclusion of intron 6. It was found that SEQ ID NO: 1584 provides the target sequence for exclusion of intron 6.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of an aspect and/or embodiments of the invention the target sequence is the AACCCCAGAGCTGCTTCCCTTCCAGATGTGGTCCTGCAGCCGAGCCCTGCCCT TAGCTGGAGGTCGACAGGTGGGATCCTGGATGTCTACATCTTCCTGGGCCCAG AGCCCAAGAGCGTGGTGCAGCAGTACCTGGACGTTGTGGGTAGGGCCTGCTC CCTGGCCGCGGCCCCCGCCCCAAGGCTCCCTCCTCCCTCCCTCATGAAGTCGG CGTTGGCCTGCAGGATACCCGTTCATGCCGCCATACTGGGGCCTGGGCTTCCA CCTGTGCCGCTGGGGCTACTCCTCCACCGCTATCACCCGCCAGGTGGTGGAGA ACATGACCAGGGCCCACTTCCCCCTGGTGAGTTGGGGTGGTGGCAGGGGAG (SEQ ID NO: 1584). It should be noted that also naturally occurring single nucleotide polymorphism are included.

Also the following genomic sequences are target sequences for exclusion of intron 6 of GAA:

Sequence in cDNA to which sequence of AON anneals* region (5′→3′): Seq ID c.956-25_1194+25 AACCCCAGAGCTGCTTCCCTT 1584 CCAGATGTGGTCCTGCAGCCG AGCCCTGCCCTTAGCTGGAGG TCGACAGGTGGGATCCTGGAT GTCTACATCTTCCTGGGCCCA GAGCCCAAGAGCGTGGTGCAG CAGTACCTGGACGTTGTGGGT AGGGCCTGCTCCCTGGCCGCG GCCCCCGCCCCAAGGCTCCCT CCTCCCTCCCTCATGAAGTCG GCGTTGGCCTGCAGGATACCC GTTCATGCCGCCATACTGGGG CCTGGGCTTCCACCTGTGCCG CTGGGGCTACTCCTCCACCGC TATCACCCGCCAGGTGGTGGA GAACATGACCAGGGCCCACTT CCCCCTGGTGAGTTGGGGTGG TGGCAGGGGAG c.956-25_1004 AACCCCAGAGCTGCTTCCCTT 1585 CCAGATGTGGTCCTGCAGCCG AGCCCTGCCCTTAGCTGGAGG TCGACAGGTGG c.1005_1075+3 GATCCTGGATGTCTACATCTT 1586 CCTGGGCCCAGAGCCCAAGAG CGTGGTGCAGCAGTACCTGGA CGTTGTGGGTA c.1075+4_1076-2 GGGCCTGCTCCCTGGCCGCGG 1587 CCCCCGCCCCAAGGCTCCCTC CTCCCTCCCTCATGAAGTCGG CGTTGGCCTGC c.1076-2_1147 AGGATACCCGTTCATGCCGCC 1588 ATACTGGGGCCTGGGCTTCCA CCTGTGCCGCTGGGGCTACTC CTCCACCGCTA c.1148_1194+25 TCACCCGCCAGGTGGTGGAGA 1589 ACATGACCAGGGCCCACTTCC CCCTGGTGAGTTGGGGTGGTG GCAGGGGAG

It is to be noted that targeting means that at least part of the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1584-1589 is targeted, e.g. by a sequence that hybridizes with at least a part or by the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1584-1589, or that binds to at least a part of SEQ ID NO: 1584-1589. Sequences that target may be shorter or longer than the target sequence.

Suitably the sequences targeting SEQ ID NO: 1584-1589 hybridize with at least a part of SEQ ID NO: 1584-1589. Sequences that hybridize may be shorter or longer than the target sequence. Nucleotide sequences SEQ ID NO: 541-1583 are oligomers that are able to enhance GAA intron 6 exclusion.

In one aspect or embodiment of aspects and/or embodiments thereof, the invention is directed to an antisense oligomeric compound selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO: 541-1583 and variants and fragments having at least 80% identity thereof. The antisense oligomeric compound may also target single nucleotide polymorphism of SEQ ID NO: 1584-1589. It should be noted that it may not necessary to have the full length of SEQ ID NO: 541-1583, fragments having a shorter or longer sequence are also envisioned. The inventors have found the target genomic sequence which enables the exclusion of intron 6 and a skilled person is capable of finding suitable sequences that target this target genomic sequence, such as SEQ ID NO: 1584-1589 and single nucleotide polymorphisms thereof. Exemplary sequences that target this target genomic sequence, such as SEQ ID NO: 1584-1589 may be SEQ ID NO: 541-1583, but also variants and fragments having at least 80% identity thereof. In particular shorter fragments such as fragments with 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, or 24 nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 541-1583 are envisioned.

In one aspect or embodiment of aspects and/or embodiments thereof, the invention is directed to an antisense oligomeric compound complementary to a polynucleotide having a sequence selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO: 1584-1589 and single nucleotide polymorphisms thereof. Also sequences having at least 80% identity to antisense oligomeric compound complementary to a polynucleotide having a sequence selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO: 1584-1589 are envisioned. Antisense oligomeric compound that target one or more than one single nucleotide polymorphisms may be designed.

In one aspect or embodiment of aspects and/or embodiments thereof, the invention is directed to an antisense oligomeric compound targeting a sequence selected from the group comprising the genomic sequence c.956-25_1194+25.

In one aspect or embodiment of aspects and/or embodiments thereof, the invention is directed to an antisense oligomeric compound comprising sequences selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO: 41-1583 and sequences having at least 80% identity thereof.

In one aspect or embodiment of aspects and/or embodiments thereof, the invention is directed to antisense oligomeric compound comprising a sequences selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO: 541-1583.

Antisense oligomeric compounds targeting SEQ ID NO: 1584 are a very suitable to treat Pompe patients. Exemplary antisense oligomeric compounds targeting SEQ ID NO: 1584 are SEQ ID NO: 541-1853. However the invention is not limited to these sequences. A skilled person is capable of designing antisense oligomeric compounds against target sequence SEQ ID NO: 1584, 1885, 1586, 1587, 1588, 1589. The antisense oligomeric compounds against target sequenced SEQ ID NO: 1584, 1885, 1586, 1587, 1588, or 1589 may have length of 10 to 100 nucleotides, preferably 11 to 75 nucleotides, preferably 12 to 73 nucleotides, preferably 13 to 70 nucleotides, preferably 14 to 65 nucleotides, preferably 15 to 60 nucleotides, preferably 16 to 55 nucleotides, preferably 17 to 50 nucleotides, preferably 18 to 45 nucleotides, preferably 19 to 40 nucleotides, preferably 20 to 38 nucleotides, preferably 21 to 35 nucleotides, preferably 22 to 33 nucleotides, preferably 23 to 30 nucleotides, preferably 24 to 29 nucleotides, preferably 25 to 28 nucleotides, preferably 26 to 27 nucleotides.

The antisense oligomeric compounds may be selected from the group of SEQ ID NO541-1583:

Sequence in cDNA to which AON anneals for intron 6 exclusion AON sequence 5′ → 3′ Seq ID c.956-25_-1 CTGGAAGGGAAGCAGCTCTGGGGTT  541 c.956-24_956 TCTGGAAGGGAAGCAGCTCTGGGGT  542 c.956-23_957 ATCTGGAAGGGAAGCAGCTCTGGGG  543 c.956-22_958 CATCTGGAAGGGAAGCAGCTCTGGG  544 c.956-21_959 ACATCTGGAAGGGAAGCAGCTCTGG  545 c.956-20_960 CACATCTGGAAGGGAAGCAGCTCTG  546 c.956-19_961 CCACATCTGGAAGGGAAGCAGCTCT  547 c.956-18_962 ACCACATCTGGAAGGGAAGCAGCTC  548 c.956-17_963 GACCACATCTGGAAGGGAAGCAGCT  549 c.956-16_964 GGACCACATCTGGAAGGGAAGCAGC  550 c.956-15_965 AGGACCACATCTGGAAGGGAAGCAG  551 c.956-14_966 CAGGACCACATCTGGAAGGGAAGCA  552 c.956-13_967 GCAGGACCACATCTGGAAGGGAAGC  553 c.956-12_968 TGCAGGACCACATCTGGAAGGGAAG  554 c.956-11_969 CTGCAGGACCACATCTGGAAGGGAA  555 c.956-10_970 GCTGCAGGACCACATCTGGAAGGGA  556 c.956-9_971 GGCTGCAGGACCACATCTGGAAGGG  557 c.956-8_972 CGGCTGCAGGACCACATCTGGAAGG  558 c.956-7_973 TCGGCTGCAGGACCACATCTGGAAG  559 c.956-6_974 CTCGGCTGCAGGACCACATCTGGAA  560 c.956-5_975 GCTCGGCTGCAGGACCACATCTGGA  561 c.956-4_976 GGCTCGGCTGCAGGACCACATCTGG  562 c.956-3_977 GGGCTCGGCTGCAGGACCACATCTG  563 c.956-2_978 AGGGCTCGGCTGCAGGACCACATCT  564 c.956-1_979 CAGGGCTCGGCTGCAGGACCACATC  565 c.956_980 GCAGGGCTCGGCTGCAGGACCACAT  566 c.957_981 GGCAGGGCTCGGCTGCAGGACCACA  567 c.958_982 GGGCAGGGCTCGGCTGCAGGACCAC  568 c.959_983 AGGGCAGGGCTCGGCTGCAGGACCA  569 c.960_984 AAGGGCAGGGCTCGGCTGCAGGACC  570 c.961_985 TAAGGGCAGGGCTCGGCTGCAGGAC  571 c.962_986 CTAAGGGCAGGGCTCGGCTGCAGGA  572 c.963_987 GCTAAGGGCAGGGCTCGGCTGCAGG  573 c.964_988 AGCTAAGGGCAGGGCTCGGCTGCAG  574 c.965_989 CAGCTAAGGGCAGGGCTCGGCTGCA  575 c.966_990 CCAGCTAAGGGCAGGGCTCGGCTGC  576 c.967_991 TCCAGCTAAGGGCAGGGCTCGGCTG  577 c.968_992 CTCCAGCTAAGGGCAGGGCTCGGCT  578 c.969_993 CCTCCAGCTAAGGGCAGGGCTCGGC  579 c.970_994 ACCTCCAGCTAAGGGCAGGGCTCGG  580 c.971_995 GACCTCCAGCTAAGGGCAGGGCTCG  581 c.972_996 CGACCTCCAGCTAAGGGCAGGGCTC  582 c.973_997 TCGACCTCCAGCTAAGGGCAGGGCT  583 c.974_998 GTCGACCTCCAGCTAAGGGCAGGGC  584 c.975_999 TGTCGACCTCCAGCTAAGGGCAGGG  585 c.976_1000 CTGTCGACCTCCAGCTAAGGGCAGG  586 c.977_1001 CCTGTCGACCTCCAGCTAAGGGCAG  587 c.978_1002 ACCTGTCGACCTCCAGCTAAGGGCA  588 c.979_1003 CACCTGTCGACCTCCAGCTAAGGGC  589 c.980_1004 CCACCTGTCGACCTCCAGCTAAGGG  590 c.981_1005 CCCACCTGTCGACCTCCAGCTAAGG  591 c.982_1006 TCCCACCTGTCGACCTCCAGCTAAG  592 c.983_1007 ATCCCACCTGTCGACCTCCAGCTAA  593 c.984_1008 GATCCCACCTGTCGACCTCCAGCTA  594 c.985_1009 GGATCCCACCTGTCGACCTCCAGCT  595 c.986_1010 AGGATCCCACCTGTCGACCTCCAGC  596 c.987_1011 CAGGATCCCACCTGTCGACCTCCAG  597 c.988_1012 CCAGGATCCCACCTGTCGACCTCCA  598 c.989_1013 TCCAGGATCCCACCTGTCGACCTCC  599 c.990_1014 ATCCAGGATCCCACCTGTCGACCTC  600 c.991_1015 CATCCAGGATCCCACCTGTCGACCT  601 c.992_1016 ACATCCAGGATCCCACCTGTCGACC  602 c.993_1017 GACATCCAGGATCCCACCTGTCGAC  603 c.994_1018 AGACATCCAGGATCCCACCTGTCGA  604 c.995_1019 TAGACATCAGGATCCCACCTGTCG  605 c.996_1020 GTAGACATCCAGGATCCCACCTGTC  606 c.997_1021 TGTAGACATCCAGGATCCCACCTGT  607 c.998_1022 ATGTAGACATCCAGGATCCCACCTG  608 c.999_1023 GATGTAGACATCCAGGATCCCACCT  609 c.1000_1024 AGATGTAGACATCCAGGATCCCACC  610 c.1001_1025 AAGATGTAGACATCCAGGATCCCAC  611 c.1002_1026 GAAGATGTAGACATCCAGGATCCCA  612 c.1003_1027 GGAAGATGTAGACATCCAGGATCCC  613 c.1004_1028 AGGAAGATGTAGACATCCAGGATCC  614 c.1005_1029 CAGGAAGATGTAGACATCCAGGATC  615 c.1006_1030 CCAGGAAGATGTAGACATCCAGGAT  616 c.1007_1031 CCCAGGAAGATGTAGACATCCAGGA  617 c.1008_1032 GCCCAGGAAGATGTAGACATCCAGG  618 c.1009_1033 GGCCCAGGAAGATGTAGACATCCAG  619 c.1010_1034 GGGCCCAGGAAGATGTAGACATCCA  620 c.1011_1035 TGGGCCCAGGAAGATGTAGACATCC  621 c.1012_1036 CTGGGCCCAGGAAGATGTAGACATC  622 c.1013_1037 TCTGGGCCCAGGAAGATGTAGACAT  623 c.1014_1038 CTCTGGGCCCAGGAAGATGTAGACA  624 c.1015_1039 GCTCTGGGCCCAGGAAGATGTAGAC  625 c.1016_1040 GGCTCTGGGCCCAGGAAGATGTAGA  626 c.1017_1041 GGGCTCTGGGCCCAGGAAGATGTAG  627 c.1018_1042 TGGGCTCTGGGCCCAGGAAGATGTA  628 c.1019_1043 TTGGGCTCTGGGCCCAGGAAGATGT  629 c.1020_1044 CTTGGGCTCTGGGCCCAGGAAGATG  630 c.1021_1045 TCTTGGGCTCTGGGCCCAGGAAGAT  631 c.1022_1046 CTCTTGGGCTCTGGGCCCAGGAAGA  632 c.1023_1047 GCTCTTGGGCTCTGGGCCCAGGAAG  633 c.1024_1048 CGCTCTTGGGCTCTGGGCCCAGGAA  634 c.1025_1049 ACGCTCTTGGGCTCTGGGCCCAGGA  635 c.1026_1050 CACGCTCTTGGGCTCTGGGCCCAGG  636 c.1027_1051 CCACGCTCTTGGGCTCTGGGCCCAG  637 c.1028_1052 ACCACGCTCTTGGGCTCTGGGCCCA  638 c.1029_1053 CACCACGCTCTTGGGCTCTGGGCCC  639 c.1030_1054 GCACCACGCTCTTGGGCTCTGGGCC  640 c.1031_1055 TGCACCACGCTCTTGGGCTCTGGGC  641 c.1032_1056 CTGCACCACGCTCTTGGGCTCTGGG  642 c.1033_1057 GCTGCACCACGCTCTTGGGCTCTGG  643 c.1034_1058 TGCTGCACCACGCTCTTGGGCTCTG  644 c.1035_1059 CTGCTGCACCACGCTCTTGGGCTCT  645 c.1036_1060 ACTGCTGCACCACGCTCTTGGGCTC  646 c.1037_1061 TACTGCTGCACCACGCTCTTGGGCT  647 c.1038_1062 GTACTGCTGCACCACGCTCTTGGGC  648 c.1039_1063 GGTACTGCTGCACCACGCTCTTGGG  649 c.1040_1064 AGGTACTGCTGCACCACGCTCTTGG  650 c.1041_1065 CAGGTACTGCTGCACCACGCTCTTG  651 c.1042_1066 CCAGGTACTGCTGCACCACGCTCTT  652 c.1043_1067 TCCAGGTACTGCTGCACCACGCTCT  653 c.1044_1068 GTCCAGGTACTGCTGCACCACGCTC  654 c.1045_1069 CGTCCAGGTACTGCTGCACCACGCT  655 c.1046_1070 ACGTCCAGGTACTGCTGCACCACGC  656 c.1047_1071 AACGTCCAGGTACTGCTGCACCACG  657 c.1048_1072 CAACGTCCAGGTACTGCTGCACCAC  658 c.1049_1073 ACAACGTCCAGGTACTGCTGCACCA  659 c.1050_1074 CACAACGTCCAGGTACTGCTGCACC  660 c.1051_1075 CCACAACGTCCAGGTACTGCTGCAC  661 c.1052_1075+1 CCCACAACGTCCAGGTACTGCTGCA  662 c.1053_1075+2 ACCCACAACGTCCAGGTACTGCTGC  663 c.1054_1075+3 TACCCACAACGTCCAGGTACTGCTG  664 c.1055_1075+4 CTACCCACAACGTCCAGGTACTGCT  665 c.1056_1075+5 CCTACCCACAACGTCCAGGTACTGC  666 c.1057_1075+6 CCCTACCCACAACGTCCAGGTACTG  667 c.1058_1075+7 GCCCTACCCACAACGTCCAGGTACT  668 c.1059_1075+8 GGCCCTACCCACAACGTCCAGGTAC  669 c.1060_1075+9 AGGCCCTACCCACAACGTCCAGGTA  670 c.1061_1075+10 CAGGCCCTACCCACAACGTCCAGGT  671 c.1062_1075+11 GCAGGCCCTACCCACAACGTCCAGG  672 c.1063_1075+12 AGCAGGCCCTACCCACAACGTCCAG  673 c.1064_1075+13 GAGCAGGCCCTACCCACAACGTCCA  674 c.1065_1075+14 GGAGCAGGCCCTACCCACAACGTCC  675 c.1066_1075+15 GGGAGCAGGCCCTACCCACAACGTC  676 c.1067_1075+16 AGGGAGCAGGCCCTACCCACAACGT  677 c.1068_1075+17 CAGGGAGCAGGCCCTACCCACAACG  678 c.1069_1075+18 CCAGGGAGCAGGCCCTACCCACAAC  679 c.1070_1075+19 GCCAGGGAGCAGGCCCTACCCACAA  680 c.1071_1075+20 GGCCAGGGAGCAGGCCCTACCCACA  681 c.1072_1075+21 CGGCCAGGGAGCAGGCCCTACCCAC  682 c.1073_1075+22 GCGGCCAGGGAGCAGGCCCTACCCA  683 c.1074_1075+23 CGCGGCCAGGGAGCAGGCCCTACCC  684 c.1075_1075+24 CCGCGGCCAGGGAGCAGGCCCTACC  685 C.1075+1_+25 GCCGCGGCCAGGGAGCAGGCCCTAC  686 C.1075+2_+26 GGCCGCGGCCAGGGAGCAGGCCCTA  687 C.1075+3_+27 GGGCCGCGGCCAGGGAGCAGGCCCT  688 C.1075+4_+28 GGGGCCGCGGCCAGGGAGCAGGCCC  689 C.1075+5_+29 GGGGGCCGCGGCCAGGGAGCAGGCC  690 C.1075+6_+30 CGGGGGCCGCGGCCAGGGAGCAGGC  691 C.1075+7_+31 GCGGGGGCCGCGGCCAGGGAGCAGG  692 C.1075+8_+32 GGCGGGGGCCGCGGCCAGGGAGCAG  693 C.1075+9_+33 GGGCGGGGGCCGCGGCCAGGGAGCA  694 C.1075+10_+34 GGGGCGGGGGCCGCGGCCAGGGAGC  695 C.1075+11_+35 TGGGGCGGGGGCCGCGGCCAGGGAG  696 C.1075+12_+36 TTGGGGCGGGGGCCGCGGCCAGGGA  697 C.1075+13_+37 CTTGGGGCGGGGGCCGCGGCCAGGG  698 C.1075+14_+38 CCTTGGGGCGGGGGCCGCGGCCAGG  699 C.1075+15_+39 GCCTTGGGGCGGGGGCCGCGGCCAG  700 C.1075+16_+40 AGCCTTGGGGCGGGGGCCGCGGCCA  701 C.1075+17_1076-39 GAGCCTTGGGGCGGGGGCCGCGGCC  702 C.1075+18_1076-38 GGAGCCTTGGGGCGGGGGCCGCGGC  703 C.1075+19_1076-37 GGGAGCCTTGGGGCGGGGGCCGCGG  704 C.1075+20_1076-36 AGGGAGCCTTGGGGCGGGGGCCGCG  705 C.1075+21_1076-35 GAGGGAGCCTTGGGGCGGGGGCCGC  706 C.1075+22_1076-34 GGAGGGAGCCTTGGGGCGGGGGCCG  707 C.1075+23_1076-33 AGGAGGGAGCCTTGGGGCGGGGGCC  708 C.1075+24_1076-32 GAGGAGGGAGCCTTGGGGCGGGGGC  709 C.1075+25_1076-31 GGAGGAGGGAGCCTTGGGGCGGGGG  710 C.1075+26_1076-30 GGGAGGAGGGAGCCTTGGGGCGGGG  711 C.1075+27_1076-29 AGGGAGGAGGGAGCCTTGGGGCGGG  712 C.1075+28_1076-28 GAGGGAGGAGGGAGCCTTGGGGCGG  713 C.1075+29_1076-27 GGAGGGAGGAGGGAGCCTTGGGGCG  714 C.1075+30_1076-26 GGGAGGGAGGAGGGAGCCTTGGGGC  715 C.1075+31_1076-25 AGGGAGGGAGGAGGGAGCCTTGGGG  716 C.1075+32_1076-24 GAGGGAGGGAGGAGGGAGCCTTGGG  717 C.1075+33_1076-23 TGAGGGAGGGAGGAGGGAGCCTTGG  718 C.1075+34_1076-22 ATGAGGGAGGGAGGAGGGAGCCTTG  719 C.1075+35_1076-21 CATGAGGGAGGGAGGAGGGAGCCTT  720 C.1075+36_1076-20 TCATGAGGGAGGGAGGAGGGAGCCT  721 C.1075+37_1076-19 TTCATGAGGGAGGGAGGAGGGAGCC  722 C.1075+38_1076-18 CTTCATGAGGGAGGGAGGAGGGAGC  723 C.1075+39_1076-17 ACTTCATGAGGGAGGGAGGAGGGAG  724 C.1075+40_1076-16 GACTTCATGAGGGAGGGAGGAGGGA  725 c.1076-39_-15 CGACTTCATGAGGGAGGGAGGAGGG  726 c.1076-38_-14 CCGACTTCATGAGGGAGGGAGGAGG  727 c.1076-37_-13 GCCGACTTCATGAGGGAGGGAGGAG  728 c.1076-36_-12 CGCCGACTTCATGAGGGAGGGAGGA  729 c.1076-35_-11 ACGCCGACTTCATGAGGGAGGGAGG  730 c.1076-34_-10 AACGCCGACTTCATGAGGGAGGGAG  731 c.1076-33_-9 CAACGCCGACTTCATGAGGGAGGGA  732 c.1076-32_-8 CCAACGCCGACTTCATGAGGGAGGG  733 c.1076-31_-7 GCCAACGCCGACTTCATGAGGGAGG  734 c.1076-30_-6 GGCCAACGCCGACTTCATGAGGGAG  735 c.1076-29_-5 AGGCCAACGCCGACTTCATGAGGGA  736 c.1076-28_-4 CAGGCCAACGCCGACTTCATGAGGG  737 c.1076-27_-3 GCAGGCCAACGCCGACTTCATGAGG  738 c.1076-26_-2 TGCAGGCCAACGCCGACTTCATGAG  739 c.1076-25_-1 CTGCAGGCCAACGCCGACTTCATGA  740 c.1076-24_1076 CCTGCAGGCCAACGCCGACTTCATG  741 c.1076-23_1077 TCCTGCAGGCCAACGCCGACTTCAT  742 c.1076-22_1078 ATCCTGCAGGCCAACGCCGACTTCA  743 c.1076-21_1079 TATCCTGCAGGCCAACGCCGACTTC  744 c.1076-20_1080 GTATCCTGCAGGCCAACGCCGACTT  745 c.1076-19_1081 GGTATCCTGCAGGCCAACGCCGACT  746 c.1076-18_1082 GGGTATCCTGCAGGCCAACGCCGAC  747 c.1076-17_1083 CGGGTATCCTGCAGGCCAACGCCGA  748 c.1076-16_1084 ACGGGTATCCTGCAGGCCAACGCCG  749 c.1076-15_1085 AACGGGTATCCTGCAGGCCAACGCC  750 c.1076-14_1086 GAACGGGTATCCTGCAGGCCAACGC  751 c.1076-13_1087 TGAACGGGTATCCTGCAGGCCAACG  752 c.1076-12_1088 ATGAACGGGTATCCTGCAGGCCAAC  753 c.1076-11_1089 CATGAACGGGTATCCTGCAGGCCAA  754 c.1076-10_1090 GCATGAACGGGTATCCTGCAGGCCA  755 c.1076-9_1091 GGCATGAACGGGTATCCTGCAGGCC  756 c.1076-8_1092 CGGCATGAACGGGTATCCTGCAGGC  757 c.1076-7_1093 GCGGCATGAACGGGTATCCTGCAGG  758 c.1076-6_1094 GGCGGCATGAACGGGTATCCTGCAG  759 c.1076-5_1095 TGGCGGCATGAACGGGTATCCTGCA  760 c.1076-4_1096 ATGGCGGCATGAACGGGTATCCTGC  761 c.1076-3_1097 TATGGCGGCATGAACGGGTATCCTG  762 c.1076-2_1098 GTATGGCGGCATGAACGGGTATCCT  763 c.1076-1_1099 AGTATGGCGGCATGAACGGGTATCC  764 c.1076_1100 CAGTATGGCGGCATGAACGGGTATC  765 c.1077_1101 CCAGTATGGCGGCATGAACGGGTAT  766 c.1078_1102 CCCAGTATGGCGGCATGAACGGGTA  767 c.1079_1103 CCCCAGTATGGCGGCATGAACGGGT  768 c.1080_1104 GCCCCAGTATGGCGGCATGAACGGG  769 c.1081_1105 GGCCCCAGTATGGCGGCATGAACGG  770 c.1082_1106 AGGCCCCAGTATGGCGGCATGAACG  771 c.1083_1107 CAGGCCCCAGTATGGCGGCATGAAC  772 c.1084_1108 CCAGGCCCCAGTATGGCGGCATGAA  773 c.1085_1109 CCCAGGCCCCAGTATGGCGGCATGA  774 c.1086_1110 GCCCAGGCCCCAGTATGGCGGCATG  775 c.1087_1111 AGCCCAGGCCCCAGTATGGCGGCAT  776 c.1088_1112 AAGCCCAGGCCCCAGTATGGCGGCA  777 c.1089_1113 GAAGCCCAGGCCCCAGTATGGCGGC  778 c.1090_1114 GGAAGCCCAGGCCCCAGTATGGCGG  779 c.1091_1115 TGGAAGCCCAGGCCCCAGTATGGCG  780 c.1092_1116 GTGGAAGCCCAGGCCCCAGTATGGC  781 c.1093_1117 GGTGGAAGCCCAGGCCCCAGTATGG  782 c.1094_1118 AGGTGGAAGCCCAGGCCCCAGTATG  783 c.1095_1119 CAGGTGGAAGCCCAGGCCCCAGTAT  784 c.1096_1120 ACAGGTGGAAGCCCAGGCCCCAGTA  785 c.1097_1121 CACAGGTGGAAGCCCAGGCCCCAGT  786 c.1098_1122 GCACAGGTGGAAGCCCAGGCCCCAG  787 c.1099_1123 GGCACAGGTGGAAGCCCAGGCCCCA  788 c.1100_1124 CGGCACAGGTGGAAGCCCAGGCCCC  789 c.1101_1125 GCGGCACAGGTGGAAGCCCAGGCCC  790 c.1102_1126 AGCGGCACAGGTGGAAGCCCAGGCC  791 c.1103_1127 CAGCGGCACAGGTGGAAGCCCAGGC  792 c.1104_1128 CCAGCGGCACAGGTGGAAGCCCAGG  793 c.1105_1129 CCCAGCGGCACAGGTGGAAGCCCAG  794 c.1106_1130 CCCCAGCGGCACAGGTGGAAGCCCA  795 c.1107_1131 GCCCCAGCGGCACAGGTGGAAGCCC  796 c.1108_1132 AGCCCCAGCGGCACAGGTGGAAGCC  797 c.1109_1133 TAGCCCCAGCGGCACAGGTGGAAGC  798 c.1110_1134 GTAGCCCCAGCGGCACAGGTGGAAG  799 c.1111_1135 AGTAGCCCCAGCGGCACAGGTGGAA  800 c.1112_1136 GAGTAGCCCCAGCGGCACAGGTGGA  801 c.1113_1137 GGAGTAGCCCCAGCGGCACAGGTGG  802 c.1114_1138 AGGAGTAGCCCCAGCGGCACAGGTG  803 c.1115_1139 GAGGAGTAGCCCCAGCGGCACAGGT  804 c.1116_1140 GGAGGAGTAGCCCCAGCGGCACAGG  805 c.1117_1141 TGGAGGAGTAGCCCCAGCGGCACAG  806 c.1118_1142 GTGGAGGAGTAGCCCCAGCGGCACA  807 c.1119_1143 GGTGGAGGAGTAGCCCCAGCGGCAC  808 c.1120_1144 CGGTGGAGGAGTAGCCCCAGCGGCA  809 c.1121_1145 GCGGTGGAGGAGTAGCCCCAGCGGC  810 c.1122_1146 AGCGGTGGAGGAGTAGCCCCAGCGG  811 c.1123_1147 TAGCGGTGGAGGAGTAGCCCCAGCG  812 c.1124_1148 ATAGCGGTGGAGGAGTAGCCCCAGC  813 c.1125_1149 GATAGCGGTGGAGGAGTAGCCCCAG  814 c.1126_1150 TGATAGCGGTGGAGGAGTAGCCCCA  815 c.1127_1151 GTGATAGCGGTGGAGGAGTAGCCCC  816 c.1128_1152 GGTGATAGCGGTGGAGGAGTAGCCC  817 c.1129_1153 GGGTGATAGCGGTGGAGGAGTAGCC  818 c.1130_1154 CGGGTGATAGCGGTGGAGGAGTAGC  819 c.1131_1155 GCGGGTGATAGCGGTGGAGGAGTAG  820 c.1132_1156 GGCGGGTGATAGCGGTGGAGGAGTA  821 c.1133_1157 TGGCGGGTGATAGCGGTGGAGGAGT  822 c.1134_1158 CTGGCGGGTGATAGCGGTGGAGGAG  823 c.1135_1159 CCTGGCGGGTGATAGCGGTGGAGGA  824 c.1136_1160 ACCTGGCGGGTGATAGCGGTGGAGG  825 c.1137_1161 CACCTGGCGGGTGATAGCGGTGGAG  826 c.1138_1162 CCACCTGGCGGGTGATAGCGGTGGA  827 c.1139_1163 ACCACCTGGCGGGTGATAGCGGTGG  828 c.1140_1164 CACCACCTGGCGGGTGATAGCGGTG  829 c.1141_1165 CCACCACCTGGCGGGTGATAGCGGT  830 c.1142_1166 TCCACCACCTGGCGGGTGATAGCGG  831 c.1143_1167 CTCCACCACCTGGCGGGTGATAGCG  832 c.1144_1168 TCTCCACCACCTGGCGGGTGATAGC  833 c.1145_1169 TTCTCCACCACCTGGCGGGTGATAG  834 c.1146_1170 GTTCTCCACCACCTGGCGGGTGATA  835 c.1147_1171 TGTTCTCCACCACCTGGCGGGTGAT  836 c.1148_1172 ATGTTCTCCACCACCTGGCGGGTGA  837 c.1149_1173 CATGTTCTCCACCACCTGGCGGGTG  838 c.1150_1174 TCATGTTCTCCACCACCTGGCGGGT  839 c.1151_1175 GTCATGTTCTCCACCACCTGGCGGG  840 c.1152_1176 GGTCATGTTCTCCACCACCTGGCGG  841 c.1153_1177 TGGTCATGTTCTCCACCACCTGGCG  842 c.1154_1178 CTGGTCATGTTCTCCACCACCTGGC  843 c.1155_1179 CCTGGTCATGTTCTCCACCACCTGG  844 c.1156_1180 CCCTGGTCATGTTCTCCACCACCTG  845 c.1157_1181 GCCCTGGTCATGTTCTCCACCACCT  846 c.1158_1182 GGCCCTGGTCATGTTCTCCACCACC  847 c.1159_1183 GGGCCCTGGTCATGTTCTCCACCAC  848 c.1160_1184 TGGGCCCTGGTCATGTTCTCCACCA  849 c.1161_1185 GTGGGCCCTGGTCATGTTCTCCACC  850 c.1162_1186 AGTGGGCCCTGGTCATGTTCTCCAC  851 c.1163_1187 AAGTGGGCCCTGGTCATGTTCTCCA  852 c.1164_1188 GAAGTGGGCCCTGGTCATGTTCTCC  853 c.1165_1189 GGAAGTGGGCCCTGGTCATGTTCTC  854 c.1166_1190 GGGAAGTGGGCCCTGGTCATGTTCT  855 c.1167_1191 GGGGAAGTGGGCCCTGGTCATGTTC  856 c.1168_1192 GGGGGAAGTGGGCCCTGGTCATGTT  857 c.1169_1193 AGGGGGAAGTGGGCCCTGGTCATGT  858 c.1170_1194 CAGGGGGAAGTGGGCCCTGGTCATG  859 c.1171_1194+1 CCAGGGGGAAGTGGGCCCTGGTCAT  860 c.1172_1194+2 ACCAGGGGGAAGTGGGCCCTGGTCA  861 c.1173_1194+3 CACCAGGGGGAAGTGGGCCCTGGTC  862 c.1174_1194+4 TCACCAGGGGGAAGTGGGCCCTGGT  863 c.1175_1194+5 CTCACCAGGGGGAAGTGGGCCCTGG  864 c.1176_1194+6 ACTCACCAGGGGGAAGTGGGCCCTG  865 c.1177_1194+7 AACTCACCAGGGGGAAGTGGGCCCT  866 c.1178_1194+8 CAACTCACCAGGGGGAAGTGGGCCC  867 c.1179_1194+9 CCAACTCACCAGGGGGAAGTGGGCC  868 c.1180_1194+10 CCCAACTCACCAGGGGGAAGTGGGC  869 c.1181_1194+11 CCCCAACTCACCAGGGGGAAGTGGG  870 c.1182_1194+12 ACCCCAACTCACCAGGGGGAAGTGG  871 c.1183_1194+13 CACCCCAACTCACCAGGGGGAAGTG  872 c.1184_1194+14 CCACCCCAACTCACCAGGGGGAAGT  873 c.1185_1194+15 ACCACCCCAACTCACCAGGGGGAAG  874 c.1186_1194+16 CACCACCCCAACTCACCAGGGGGAA  875 c.1187_1194+17 CCACCACCCCAACTCACCAGGGGGA  876 c.1188_1194+18 GCCACCACCCCAACTCACCAGGGGG  877 c.1189_1194+19 TGCCACCACCCCAACTCACCAGGGG  878 c.1190_1194+20 CTGCCACCACCCCAACTCACCAGGG  879 c.1191_1194+21 CCTGCCACCACCCCAACTCACCAGG  880 c.1192_1194+22 CCCTGCCACCACCCCAACTCACCAG  881 c.1193_1194+23 CCCCTGCCACCACCCCAACTCACCA  882 c.1194_1194+24 TCCCCTGCCACCACCCCAACTCACC  883 c.1194+1_+25 CTCCCCTGCCACCACCCCAACTCAC  884 c.956-25_-5 AAGGGAAGCAGCTCTGGGGTT  885 c.956-24_-4 GAAGGGAAGCAGCTCTGGGGT  886 c.956-23_-3 GGAAGGGAAGCAGCTCTGGGG  887 c.956-22_-2 TGGAAGGGAAGCAGCTCTGGG  888 c.956-21_-1 CTGGAAGGGAAGCAGCTCTGG  889 c.956-20_956 TCTGGAAGGGAAGCAGCTCTG  890 c.956-19_957 ATCTGGAAGGGAAGCAGCTCT  891 c.956-18_958 CATCTGGAAGGGAAGCAGCTC  892 c.956-17_959 ACATCTGGAAGGGAAGCAGCT  893 c.956-16_960 CACATCTGGAAGGGAAGCAGC  894 c.956-15_961 CCACATCTGGAAGGGAAGCAG  895 c.956-14_962 ACCACATCTGGAAGGGAAGCA  896 c.956-13_963 GACCACATCTGGAAGGGAAGC  897 c.956-12_964 GGACCACATCTGGAAGGGAAG  898 c.956-11_965 AGGACCACATCTGGAAGGGAA  899 c.956-10_966 CAGGACCACATCTGGAAGGGA  900 c.956-9_967 GCAGGACCACATCTGGAAGGG  901 c.956-8_968 TGCAGGACCACATCTGGAAGG  902 c.956-7_969 CTGCAGGACCACATCTGGAAG  903 c.956-6_970 GCTGCAGGACCACATCTGGAA  904 c.956-5_971 GGCTGCAGGACCACATCTGGA  905 c.956-4_972 CGGCTGCAGGACCACATCTGG  906 c.956-3_973 TCGGCTGCAGGACCACATCTG  907 c.956-2_974 CTCGGCTGCAGGACCACATCT  908 c.956-1_975 GCTCGGCTGCAGGACCACATC  909 c.956_976 GGCTCGGCTGCAGGACCACAT  910 c.957_977 GGGCTCGGCTGCAGGACCACA  911 c.958_978 AGGGCTCGGCTGCAGGACCAC  912 c.959_979 CAGGGCTCGGCTGCAGGACCA  913 c.960_980 GCAGGGCTCGGCTGCAGGACC  914 c.961_981 GGCAGGGCTCGGCTGCAGGAC  915 c.962_982 GGGCAGGGCTCGGCTGCAGGA  916 c.963_983 AGGGCAGGGCTCGGCTGCAGG  917 c.964_984 AAGGGCAGGGCTCGGCTGCAG  918 c.965_985 TAAGGGCAGGGCTCGGCTGCA  919 c.966_986 CTAAGGGCAGGGCTCGGCTGC  920 c.967_987 GCTAAGGGCAGGGCTCGGCTG  921 c.968_988 AGCTAAGGGCAGGGCTCGGCT  922 c.969_989 CAGCTAAGGGCAGGGCTCGGC  923 c.970_990 CCAGCTAAGGGCAGGGCTCGG  924 c.971_991 TCCAGCTAAGGGCAGGGCTCG  925 c.972_992 CTCCAGCTAAGGGCAGGGCTC  926 c.973_993 CCTCCAGCTAAGGGCAGGGCT  927 c.974_994 ACCTCCAGCTAAGGGCAGGGC  928 c.975_995 GACCTCCAGCTAAGGGCAGGG  929 c.976_996 CGACCTCCAGCTAAGGGCAGG  930 c.977_997 TCGACCTCCAGCTAAGGGCAG  931 c.978_998 GTCGACCTCCAGCTAAGGGCA  932 c.979_999 TGTCGACCTCCAGCTAAGGGC  933 c.980_1000 CTGTCGACCTCCAGCTAAGGG  934 c.981_1001 CCTGTCGACCTCCAGCTAAGG  935 c.982_1002 ACCTGTCGACCTCCAGCTAAG  936 c.983_1003 CACCTGTCGACCTCCAGCTAA  937 c.984_1004 CCACCTGTCGACCTCCAGCTA  938 c.985_1005 CCCACCTGTCGACCTCCAGCT  939 c.986_1006 TCCCACCTGTCGACCTCCAGC  940 c.987_1007 ATCCCACCTGTCGACCTCCAG  941 c.988_1008 GATCCCACCTGTCGACCTCCA  942 c.989_1009 GGATCCCACCTGTCGACCTCC  943 c.990_1010 AGGATCCCACCTGTCGACCTC  944 c.991_1011 CAGGATCCCACCTGTCGACCT  945 c.992_1012 CCAGGATCCCACCTGTCGACC  946 c.993_1013 TCCAGGATCCCACCTGTCGAC  947 c.994_1014 ATCCAGGATCCCACCTGTCGA  948 c.995_1015 CATCCAGGATCCCACCTGTCG  949 c.996_1016 ACATCCAGGATCCCACCTGTC  950 c.997_1017 GACATCCAGGATCCCACCTGT  951 c.998_1018 AGACATCCAGGATCCCACCTG  952 c.999_1019 TAGACATCCAGGATCCCACCT  953 c.1000_1020 GTAGACATCCAGGATCCCACC  954 c.1001_1021 TGTAGACATCCAGGATCCCAC  955 c.1002_1022 ATGTAGACATCCAGGATCCCA  956 c.1003_1023 GATGTAGACATCCAGGATCCC  957 c.1004_1024 AGATGTAGACATCCAGGATCC  958 c.1005_1025 AAGATGTAGACATCCAGGATC  959 c.1006_1026 GAAGATGTAGACATCCAGGAT  960 c.1007_1027 GGAAGATGTAGACATCCAGGA  961 c.1008_1028 AGGAAGATGTAGACATCCAGG  962 c.1009_1029 CAGGAAGATGTAGACATCCAG  963 c.1010_1030 CCAGGAAGATGTAGACATCCA  964 c.1011_1031 CCCAGGAAGATGTAGACATCC  965 c.1012_1032 GCCCAGGAAGATGTAGACATC  966 c.1013_1033 GGCCCAGGAAGATGTAGACAT  967 c.1014_1034 GGGCCCAGGAAGATGTAGACA  968 c.1015_1035 TGGGCCCAGGAAGATGTAGAC  969 c.1016_1036 CTGGGCCCAGGAAGATGTAGA  970 c.1017_1037 TCTGGGCCCAGGAAGATGTAG  971 c.1018_1038 CTCTGGGCCCAGGAAGATGTA  972 c.1019_1039 GCTCTGGGCCCAGGAAGATGT  973 c.1020_1040 GGCTCTGGGCCCAGGAAGATG  974 c.1021_1041 GGGCTCTGGGCCCAGGAAGAT  975 c.1022_1042 TGGGCTCTGGGCCCAGGAAGA  976 c.1023_1043 TTGGGCTCTGGGCCCAGGAAG  977 c.1024_1044 CTTGGGCTCTGGGCCCAGGAA  978 c.1025_1045 TCTTGGGCTCTGGGCCCAGGA  979 c.1026_1046 CTCTTGGGCTCTGGGCCCAGG  980 c.1027_1047 GCTCTTGGGCTCTGGGCCCAG  981 c.1028_1048 CGCTCTTGGGCTCTGGGCCCA  982 c.1029_1049 ACGCTCTTGGGCTCTGGGCCC  983 c.1030_1050 CACGCTCTTGGGCTCTGGGCC  984 c.1031_1051 CCACGCTCTTGGGCTCTGGGC  985 c.1032_1052 ACCACGCTCTTGGGCTCTGGG  986 c.1033_1053 CACCACGCTCTTGGGCTCTGG  987 c.1034_1054 GCACCACGCTCTTGGGCTCTG  988 c.1035_1055 TGCACCACGCTCTTGGGCTCT  989 c.1036_1056 CTGCACCACGCTCTTGGGCTC  990 c.1037_1057 GCTGCACCACGCTCTTGGGCT  991 c.1038_1058 TGCTGCACCACGCTCTTGGGC  992 c.1039_1059 CTGCTGCACCACGCTCTTGGG  993 c.1040_1060 ACTGCTGCACCACGCTCTTGG  994 c.1041_1061 TACTGCTGCACCACGCTCTTG  995 c.1042_1062 GTACTGCTGCACCACGCTCTT  996 c.1043_1063 GGTACTGCTGCACCACGCTCT  997 c.1044_1064 AGGTACTGCTGCACCACGCTC  998 c.1045_1065 CAGGTACTGCTGCACCACGCT  999 c.1046_1066 CCAGGTACTGCTGCACCACGC 1000 c.1047_1067 TCCAGGTACTGCTGCACCACG 1001 c.1048_1068 GTCCAGGTACTGCTGCACCAC 1002 c.1049_1069 CGTCCAGGTACTGCTGCACCA 1003 c.1050_1070 ACGTCCAGGTACTGCTGCACC 1004 c.1051_1071 AACGTCCAGGTACTGCTGCAC 1005 c.1052_1072 CAACGTCCAGGTACTGCTGCA 1006 c.1053_1073 ACAACGTCCAGGTACTGCTGC 1007 c.1054_1074 CACAACGTCCAGGTACTGCTG 1008 c.1055_1075 CCACAACGTCCAGGTACTGCT 1009 c.1056_1075+1 CCCACAACGTCCAGGTACTGC 1010 c.1057_1075+2 ACCCACAACGTCCAGGTACTG 1011 c.1058_1075+3 TACCCACAACGTCCAGGTACT 1012 c.1059_1075+4 CTACCCACAACGTCCAGGTAC 1013 c.1060_1075+5 CCTACCCACAACGTCCAGGTA 1014 c.1061_1075+6 CCCTACCCACAACGTCCAGGT 1015 c.1062_1075+7 GCCCTACCCACAACGTCCAGG 1016 c.1063_1075+8 GGCCCTACCCACAACGTCCAG 1017 c.1064_1075+9 AGGCCCTACCCACAACGTCCA 1018 c.1065_1075+10 CAGGCCCTACCCACAACGTCC 1019 c.1066_1075+11 GCAGGCCCTACCCACAACGTC 1020 c.1067_1075+12 AGCAGGCCCTACCCACAACGT 1021 c.1068_1075+13 GAGCAGGCCCTACCCACAACG 1022 c.1069_1075+14 GGAGCAGGCCCTACCCACAAC 1023 c.1070_1075+15 GGGAGCAGGCCCTACCCACAA 1024 c.1071_1075+16 AGGGAGCAGGCCCTACCCACA 1025 c.1072_1075+17 CAGGGAGCAGGCCCTACCCAC 1026 c.1073_1075+18 CCAGGGAGCAGGCCCTACCCA 1027 c.1074_1075+19 GCCAGGGAGCAGGCCCTACCC 1028 c.1075_1075+20 GGCCAGGGAGCAGGCCCTACC 1029 c.1075+1_+21 CGGCCAGGGAGCAGGCCCTAC 1030 c.1075+2_+22 GCGGCCAGGGAGCAGGCCCTA 1031 c.1075+3_+23 CGCGGCCAGGGAGCAGGCCCT 1032 c.1075+4_+24 CCGCGGCCAGGGAGCAGGCCC 1033 c.1075+5_+25 GCCGCGGCCAGGGAGCAGGCC 1034 c.1075+6_+26 GGCCGCGGCCAGGGAGCAGGC 1035 c.1075+7_+27 GGGCCGCGGCCAGGGAGCAGG 1036 c.1075+8_+28 GGGGCCGCGGCCAGGGAGCAG 1037 c.1075+9_+29 GGGGGCCGCGGCCAGGGAGCA 1038 c.1075+10_+30 CGGGGGCCGCGGCCAGGGAGC 1039 c.1075+11_+31 GCGGGGGCCGCGGCCAGGGAG 1040 c.1075+12_+32 GGCGGGGGCCGCGGCCAGGGA 1041 c.1075+13_+33 GGGCGGGGGCCGCGGCCAGGG 1042 c.1075+14_+34 GGGGCGGGGGCCGCGGCCAGG 1043 c.1075+15_+35 TGGGGCGGGGGCCGCGGCCAG 1044 c.1075+16_+36 TTGGGGCGGGGGCCGCGGCCA 1045 c.1075+17_+37 CTTGGGGCGGGGGCCGCGGCC 1046 c.1075+18_+38 CCTTGGGGCGGGGGCCGCGGC 1047 c.1075+19_+39 GCCTTGGGGCGGGGGCCGCGG 1048 c.1075+20_+40 AGCCTTGGGGCGGGGGCCGCG 1049 c.1075+21_1076-39 GAGCCTTGGGGCGGGGGCCGC 1050 c.1075+22_1076-38 GGAGCCTTGGGGCGGGGGCCG 1051 c.1075+23_1076-37 GGGAGCCTTGGGGCGGGGGCC 1052 c.1075+24_1076-36 AGGGAGCCTTGGGGCGGGGGC 1053 c.1075+25_1076-35 GAGGGAGCCTTGGGGCGGGGG 1054 c.1075+26_1076-34 GGAGGGAGCCTTGGGGCGGGG 1055 c.1075+27_1076-33 AGGAGGGAGCCTTGGGGCGGG 1056 c.1075+28_1076-32 GAGGAGGGAGCCTTGGGGCGG 1057 c.1075+29_1076-31 GGAGGAGGGAGCCTTGGGGCG 1058 c.1075+30_1076-30 GGGAGGAGGGAGCCTTGGGGC 1059 c.1075+31_1076-29 AGGGAGGAGGGAGCCTTGGGG 1060 c.1075+32_1076-28 GAGGGAGGAGGGAGCCTTGGG 1061 c.1075+33_1076-27 GGAGGGAGGAGGGAGCCTTGG 1062 c.1075+34_1076-26 GGGAGGGAGGAGGGAGCCTTG 1063 c.1075+35_1076-25 AGGGAGGGAGGAGGGAGCCTT 1064 c.1075+36_1076-24 GAGGGAGGGAGGAGGGAGCCT 1065 c.1075+37_1076-23 TGAGGGAGGGAGGAGGGAGCC 1066 c.1075+38_1076-22 ATGAGGGAGGGAGGAGGGAGC 1067 c.1075+39_1076-21 CATGAGGGAGGGAGGAGGGAG 1068 c.1075+40_1076-20 TCATGAGGGAGGGAGGAGGGA 1069 c.1076-39_-19 TTCATGAGGGAGGGAGGAGGG 1070 c.1076-38_-18 CTTCATGAGGGAGGGAGGAGG 1071 c.1076-37_-17 ACTTCATGAGGGAGGGAGGAG 1072 c.1076-36_-16 GACTTCATGAGGGAGGGAGGA 1073 c.1076-35_-15 CGACTTCATGAGGGAGGGAGG 1074 c.1076-34_-14 CCGACTTCATGAGGGAGGGAG 1075 c.1076-33_-13 GCCGACTTCATGAGGGAGGGA 1076 c.1076-32_-12 CGCCGACTTCATGAGGGAGGG 1077 c.1076-31_-11 ACGCCGACTTCATGAGGGAGG 1078 c.1076-30_-10 AACGCCGACTTCATGAGGGAG 1079 c.1076-29_-9 CAACGCCGACTTCATGAGGGA 1080 c.1076-28_-8 CCAACGCCGACTTCATGAGGG 1081 c.1076-27_-7 GCCAACGCCGACTTCATGAGG 1082 c.1076-26_-6 GGCCAACGCCGACTTCATGAG 1083 c.1076-25_-5 AGGCCAACGCCGACTTCATGA 1084 c.1076-24_-4 CAGGCCAACGCCGACTTCATG 1085 c.1076-23_-3 GCAGGCCAACGCCGACTTCAT 1086 c.1076-22_-2 TGCAGGCCAACGCCGACTTCA 1087 c.1076-21_-1 CTGCAGGCCAACGCCGACTTC 1088 c.1076-20_1076 CCTGCAGGCCAACGCCGACTT 1089 c.1076-19_1077 TCCTGCAGGCCAACGCCGACT 1090 c.1076-18_1078 ATCCTGCAGGCCAACGCCGAC 1091 c.1076-17_1079 TATCCTGCAGGCCAACGCCGA 1092 c.1076-16_1080 GTATCCTGCAGGCCAACGCCG 1093 c.1076-15_1081 GGTATCCTGCAGGCCAACGCC 1094 c.1076-14_1082 GGGTATCCTGCAGGCCAACGC 1095 c.1076-13_1083 CGGGTATCCTGCAGGCCAACG 1096 c.1076-12_1084 ACGGGTATCCTGCAGGCCAAC 1097 c.1076-11_1085 AACGGGTATCCTGCAGGCCAA 1098 c.1076-10_1086 GAACGGGTATCCTGCAGGCCA 1099 c.1076-9_1087 TGAACGGGTATCCTGCAGGCC 1100 c.1076-8_1088 ATGAACGGGTATCCTGCAGGC 1101 c.1076-7_1089 CATGAACGGGTATCCTGCAGG 1102 c.1076-6_1090 GCATGAACGGGTATCCTGCAG 1103 c.1076-5_1091 GGCATGAACGGGTATCCTGCA 1104 c.1076-4_1092 CGGCATGAACGGGTATCCTGC 1105 c.1076-3_1093 GCGGCATGAACGGGTATCCTG 1106 c.1076-2_1094 GGCGGCATGAACGGGTATCCT 1107 c.1076-1_1095 TGGCGGCATGAACGGGTATCC 1108 c.1076_1096 ATGGCGGCATGAACGGGTATC 1109 c.1077_1097 TATGGCGGCATGAACGGGTAT 1110 c.1078_1098 GTATGGCGGCATGAACGGGTA 1111 c.1079_1099 AGTATGGCGGCATGAACGGGT 1112 c.1080_1100 CAGTATGGCGGCATGAACGGG 1113 c.1081_1101 CCAGTATGGCGGCATGAACGG 1114 c.1082_1102 CCCAGTATGGCGGCATGAACG 1115 c.1083_1103 CCCCAGTATGGCGGCATGAAC 1116 c.1084_1104 GCCCCAGTATGGCGGCATGAA 1117 c.1085_1105 GGCCCCAGTATGGCGGCATGA 1118 c.1086_1106 AGGCCCCAGTATGGCGGCATG 1119 c.1087_1107 CAGGCCCCAGTATGGCGGCAT 1120 c.1088_1108 CCAGGCCCCAGTATGGCGGCA 1121 c.1089_1109 CCCAGGCCCCAGTATGGCGGC 1122 c.1090_1110 GCCCAGGCCCCAGTATGGCGG 1123 c.1091_1111 AGCCCAGGCCCCAGTATGGCG 1124 c.1092_1112 AAGCCCAGGCCCCAGTATGGC 1125 c.1093_1113 GAAGCCCAGGCCCCAGTATGG 1126 c.1094_1114 GGAAGCCCAGGCCCCAGTATG 1127 c.1095_1115 TGGAAGCCCAGGCCCCAGTAT 1128 c.1096_1116 GTGGAAGCCCAGGCCCCAGTA 1129 c.1097_1117 GGTGGAAGCCCAGGCCCCAGT 1130 c.1098_1118 AGGTGGAAGCCCAGGCCCCAG 1131 c.1099_1119 CAGGTGGAAGCCCAGGCCCCA 1132 c.1100_1120 ACAGGTGGAAGCCCAGGCCCC 1133 c.1101_1121 CACAGGTGGAAGCCCAGGCCC 1134 c.1102_1122 GCACAGGTGGAAGCCCAGGCC 1135 c.1103_1123 GGCACAGGTGGAAGCCCAGGC 1136 c.1104_1124 CGGCACAGGTGGAAGCCCAGG 1137 c.1105_1125 GCGGCACAGGTGGAAGCCCAG 1138 c.1106_1126 AGCGGCACAGGTGGAAGCCCA 1139 c.1107_1127 CAGCGGCACAGGTGGAAGCCC 1140 c.1108_1128 CCAGCGGCACAGGTGGAAGCC 1141 c.1109_1129 CCCAGCGGCACAGGTGGAAGC 1142 c.1110_1130 CCCCAGCGGCACAGGTGGAAG 1143 c.1111_1131 GCCCCAGCGGCACAGGTGGAA 1144 c.1112_1132 AGCCCCAGCGGCACAGGTGGA 1145 c.1113_1133 TAGCCCCAGCGGCACAGGTGG 1146 c.1114_1134 GTAGCCCCAGCGGCACAGGTG 1147 c.1115_1135 AGTAGCCCCAGCGGCACAGGT 1148 c.1116_1136 GAGTAGCCCCAGCGGCACAGG 1149 c.1117_1137 GGAGTAGCCCCAGCGGCACAG 1150 c.1118_1138 AGGAGTAGCCCCAGCGGCACA 1151 c.1119_1139 GAGGAGTAGCCCCAGCGGCAC 1152 c.1120_1140 GGAGGAGTAGCCCCAGCGGCA 1153 c.1121_1141 TGGAGGAGTAGCCCCAGCGGC 1154 c.1122_1142 GTGGAGGAGTAGCCCCAGCGG 1155 c.1123_1143 GGTGGAGGAGTAGCCCCAGCG 1156 c.1124_1144 CGGTGGAGGAGTAGCCCCAGC 1157 c.1125_1145 GCGGTGGAGGAGTAGCCCCAG 1158 c.1126_1146 AGCGGTGGAGGAGTAGCCCCA 1159 c.1127_1147 TAGCGGTGGAGGAGTAGCCCC 1160 c.1128_1148 ATAGCGGTGGAGGAGTAGCCC 1161 c.1129_1149 GATAGCGGTGGAGGAGTAGCC 1162 c.1130_1150 TGATAGCGGTGGAGGAGTAGC 1163 c.1131_1151 GTGATAGCGGTGGAGGAGTAG 1164 c.1132_1152 GGTGATAGCGGTGGAGGAGTA 1165 c.1133_1153 GGGTGATAGCGGTGGAGGAGT 1166 c.1134_1154 CGGGTGATAGCGGTGGAGGAG 1167 c.1135_1155 GCGGGTGATAGCGGTGGAGGA 1168 c.1136_1156 GGCGGGTGATAGCGGTGGAGG 1169 c.1137_1157 TGGCGGGTGATAGCGGTGGAG 1170 c.1138_1158 CTGGCGGGTGATAGCGGTGGA 1171 c.1139_1159 CCTGGCGGGTGATAGCGGTGG 1172 c.1140_1160 ACCTGGCGGGTGATAGCGGTG 1173 c.1141_1161 CACCTGGCGGGTGATAGCGGT 1174 c.1142_1162 CCACCTGGCGGGTGATAGCGG 1175 c.1143_1163 ACCACCTGGCGGGTGATAGCG 1176 c.1144_1164 CACCACCTGGCGGGTGATAGC 1177 c.1145_1165 CCACCACCTGGCGGGTGATAG 1178 c.1146_1166 TCCACCACCTGGCGGGTGATA 1179 c.1147_1167 CTCCACCACCTGGCGGGTGAT 1180 c.1148_1168 TCTCCACCACCTGGCGGGTGA 1181 c.1149_1169 TTCTCCACCACCTGGCGGGTG 1182 c.1150_1170 GTTCTCCACCACCTGGCGGGT 1183 c.1151_1171 TGTTCTCCACCACCTGGCGGG 1184 c.1152_1172 ATGTTCTCCACCACCTGGCGG 1185 c.1153_1173 CATGTTCTCCACCACCTGGCG 1186 c.1154_1174 TCATGTTCTCCACCACCTGGC 1187 c.1155_1175 GTCATGTTCTCCACCACCTGG 1188 c.1156_1176 GGTCATGTTCTCCACCACCTG 1189 c.1157_1177 TGGTCATGTTCTCCACCACCT 1190 c.1158_1178 CTGGTCATGTTCTCCACCACC 1191 c.1159_1179 CCTGGTCATGTTCTCCACCAC 1192 c.1160_1180 CCCTGGTCATGTTCTCCACCA 1193 c.1161_1181 GCCCTGGTCATGTTCTCCACC 1194 c.1162_1182 GGCCCTGGTCATGTTCTCCAC 1195 c.1163_1183 GGGCCCTGGTCATGTTCTCCA 1196 c.1164_1184 TGGGCCCTGGTCATGTTCTCC 1197 c.1165_1185 GTGGGCCCTGGTCATGTTCTC 1198 c.1166_1186 AGTGGGCCCTGGTCATGTTCT 1199 c.1167_1187 AAGTGGGCCCTGGTCATGTTC 1200 c.1168_1188 GAAGTGGGCCCTGGTCATGTT 1201 c.1169_1189 GGAAGTGGGCCCTGGTCATGT 1202 c.1170_1190 GGGAAGTGGGCCCTGGTCATG 1203 c.1171_1191 GGGGAAGTGGGCCCTGGTCAT 1204 c.1172_1192 GGGGGAAGTGGGCCCTGGTCA 1205 c.1173_1193 AGGGGGAAGTGGGCCCTGGTC 1206 c.1174_1194 CAGGGGGAAGTGGGCCCTGGT 1207 c.1175_1194+1 CCAGGGGGAAGTGGGCCCTGG 1208 c.1176_1194+2 ACCAGGGGGAAGTGGGCCCTG 1209 c.1177_1194+3 CACCAGGGGGAAGTGGGCCCT 1210 c.1178_1194+4 TCACCAGGGGGAAGTGGGCCC 1211 c.1179_1194+5 CTCACCAGGGGGAAGTGGGCC 1212 c.1180_1194+6 ACTCACCAGGGGGAAGTGGGC 1213 c.1181_1194+7 AACTCACCAGGGGGAAGTGGG 1214 c.1182_1194+8 CAACTCACCAGGGGGAAGTGG 1215 c.1183_1194+9 CCAACTCACCAGGGGGAAGTG 1216 c.1184_1194+10 CCCAACTCACCAGGGGGAAGT 1217 c.1185_1194+11 CCCCAACTCACCAGGGGGAAG 1218 c.1186_1194+12 ACCCCAACTCACCAGGGGGAA 1219 c.1187_1194+13 CACCCCAACTCACCAGGGGGA 1220 c.1188_1194+14 CCACCCCAACTCACCAGGGGG 1221 c.1189_1194+15 ACCACCCCAACTCACCAGGGG 1222 c.1190_1194+16 CACCACCCCAACTCACCAGGG 1223 c.1191_1194+17 CCACCACCCCAACTCACCAGG 1224 c.1192_1194+18 GCCACCACCCCAACTCACCAG 1225 c.1193_1194+19 TGCCACCACCCCAACTCACCA 1226 c.1194_1194+20 CTGCCACCACCCCAACTCACC 1227 c.1194+1_+21 CCTGCCACCACCCCAACTCAC 1228 c.1194+2_+22 CCCTGCCACCACCCCAACTCA 1229 c.1194+3_+23 CCCCTGCCACCACCCCAACTC 1230 c.1194+4_+24 TCCCCTGCCACCACCCCAACT 1231 c.1194+5_+25 CTCCCCTGCCACCACCCCAAC 1232 c.956-25_-8 GGAAGCAGCTCTGGGGTT 1233 c.956-24_-7 GGGAAGCAGCTCTGGGGT 1234 c.956-23_-6 AGGGAAGCAGCTCTGGGG 1235 c.956-22_-5 AAGGGAAGCAGCTCTGGG 1236 c.956-21_-4 GAAGGGAAGCAGCTCTGG 1237 c.956-20_-3 GGAAGGGAAGCAGCTCTG 1238 c.956-19_-2 TGGAAGGGAAGCAGCTCT 1239 c.956-18_-1 CTGGAAGGGAAGCAGCTC 1240 c.956-17_956 TCTGGAAGGGAAGCAGCT 1241 c.956-16_957 ATCTGGAAGGGAAGCAGC 1242 c.956-15_958 CATCTGGAAGGGAAGCAG 1243 c.956-14_959 ACATCTGGAAGGGAAGCA 1244 c.956-13_960 CACATCTGGAAGGGAAGC 1245 c.956-12_961 CCACATCTGGAAGGGAAG 1246 c.956-11_962 ACCACATCTGGAAGGGAA 1247 c.956-10_963 GACCACATCTGGAAGGGA 1248 c.956-9_964 GGACCACATCTGGAAGGG 1249 c.956-8_965 AGGACCACATCTGGAAGG 1250 c.956-7_966 CAGGACCACATCTGGAAG 1251 c.956-6_967 GCAGGACCACATCTGGAA 1252 c.956-5_968 TGCAGGACCACATCTGGA 1253 c.956-4_969 CTGCAGGACCACATCTGG 1254 c.956-3_970 GCTGCAGGACCACATCTG 1255 c.956-2_971 GGCTGCAGGACCACATCT 1256 c.956-1_972 CGGCTGCAGGACCACATC 1257 c.956_973 TCGGCTGCAGGACCACAT 1258 c.957_974 CTCGGCTGCAGGACCACA 1259 c.958_975 GCTCGGCTGCAGGACCAC 1260 c.959_976 GGCTCGGCTGCAGGACCA 1261 c.960_977 GGGCTCGGCTGCAGGACC 1262 c.961_978 AGGGCTCGGCTGCAGGAC 1263 c.962_979 CAGGGCTCGGCTGCAGGA 1264 c.963_980 GCAGGGCTCGGCTGCAGG 1265 c.964_981 GGCAGGGCTCGGCTGCAG 1266 c.965_982 GGGCAGGGCTCGGCTGCA 1267 c.966_983 AGGGCAGGGCTCGGCTGC 1268 c.967_984 AAGGGCAGGGCTCGGCTG 1269 c.968_985 TAAGGGCAGGGCTCGGCT 1270 c.969_986 CTAAGGGCAGGGCTCGGC 1271 c.970_987 GCTAAGGGCAGGGCTCGG 1272 c.971_988 AGCTAAGGGCAGGGCTCG 1273 c.972_989 CAGCTAAGGGCAGGGCTC 1274 c.973_990 CCAGCTAAGGGCAGGGCT 1275 c.974_991 TCCAGCTAAGGGCAGGGC 1276 c.975_992 CTCCAGCTAAGGGCAGGG 1277 c.976_993 CCTCCAGCTAAGGGCAGG 1278 c.977_994 ACCTCCAGCTAAGGGCAG 1279 c.978_995 GACCTCCAGCTAAGGGCA 1280 c.979_996 CGACCTCCAGCTAAGGGC 1281 c.980_997 TCGACCTCCAGCTAAGGG 1282 c.981_998 GTCGACCTCCAGCTAAGG 1283 c.982_999 TGTCGACCTCCAGCTAAG 1284 c.983_1000 CTGTCGACCTCCAGCTAA 1285 c.984_1001 CCTGTCGACCTCCAGCTA 1286 c.985_1002 ACCTGTCGACCTCCAGCT 1287 c.986_1003 CACCTGTCGACCTCCAGC 1288 c.987_1004 CCACCTGTCGACCTCCAG 1289 c.988_1005 CCCACCTGTCGACCTCCA 1290 c.989_1006 TCCCACCTGTCGACCTCC 1291 c.990_1007 ATCCCACCTGTCGACCTC 1292 c.991_1008 GATCCCACCTGTCGACCT 1293 c.992_1009 GGATCCCACCTGTCGACC 1294 c.993_1010 AGGATCCCACCTGTCGAC 1295 c.994_1011 CAGGATCCCACCTGTCGA 1296 c.995_1012 CCAGGATCCCACCTGTCG 1297 c.996_1013 TCCAGGATCCCACCTGTC 1298 c.997_1014 ATCCAGGATCCCACCTGT 1299 c.998_1015 CATCCAGGATCCCACCTG 1300 c.999_1016 ACATCCAGGATCCCACCT 1301 c.1000_1017 GACATCCAGGATCCCACC 1302 c.1001_1018 AGACATCCAGGATCCCAC 1303 c.1002_1019 TAGACATCCAGGATCCCA 1304 c.1003_1020 GTAGACATCCAGGATCCC 1305 c.1004_1021 TGTAGACATCCAGGATCC 1306 c.1005_1022 ATGTAGACATCCAGGATC 1307 c.1006_1023 GATGTAGACATCCAGGAT 1308 c.1007_1024 AGATGTAGACATCCAGGA 1309 c.1008_1025 AAGATGTAGACATCCAGG 1310 c.1009_1026 GAAGATGTAGACATCCAG 1311 c.1010_1027 GGAAGATGTAGACATCCA 1312 c.1011_1028 AGGAAGATGTAGACATCC 1313 c.1012_1029 CAGGAAGATGTAGACATC 1314 c.1013_1030 CCAGGAAGATGTAGACAT 1315 c.1014_1031 CCCAGGAAGATGTAGACA 1316 c.1015_1032 GCCCAGGAAGATGTAGAC 1317 c.1016_1033 GGCCCAGGAAGATGTAGA 1318 c.1017_1034 GGGCCCAGGAAGATGTAG 1319 c.1018_1035 TGGGCCCAGGAAGATGTA 1320 c.1019_1036 CTGGGCCCAGGAAGATGT 1321 c.1020_1037 TCTGGGCCCAGGAAGATG 1322 c.1021_1038 CTCTGGGCCCAGGAAGAT 1323 c.1022_1039 GCTCTGGGCCCAGGAAGA 1324 c.1023_1040 GGCTCTGGGCCCAGGAAG 1325 c.1024_1041 GGGCTCTGGGCCCAGGAA 1326 c.1025_1042 TGGGCTCTGGGCCCAGGA 1327 c.1026_1043 TTGGGCTCTGGGCCCAGG 1328 c.1027_1044 CTTGGGCTCTGGGCCCAG 1329 c.1028_1045 TCTTGGGCTCTGGGCCCA 1330 c.1029_1046 CTCTTGGGCTCTGGGCCC 1331 c.1030_1047 GCTCTTGGGCTCTGGGCC 1332 c.1031_1048 CGCTCTTGGGCTCTGGGC 1333 c.1032_1049 ACGCTCTTGGGCTCTGGG 1334 c.1033_1050 CACGCTCTTGGGCTCTGG 1335 c.1034_1051 CCACGCTCTTGGGCTCTG 1336 c.1035_1052 ACCACGCTCTTGGGCTCT 1337 c.1036_1053 CACCACGCTCTTGGGCTC 1338 c.1037_1054 GCACCACGCTCTTGGGCT 1339 c.1038_1055 TGCACCACGCTCTTGGGC 1340 c.1039_1056 CTGCACCACGCTCTTGGG 1341 c.1040_1057 GCTGCACCACGCTCTTGG 1342 c.1041_1058 TGCTGCACCACGCTCTTG 1343 c.1042_1059 CTGCTGCACCACGCTCTT 1344 c.1043_1060 ACTGCTGCACCACGCTCT 1345 c.1044_1061 TACTGCTGCACCACGCTC 1346 c.1045_1062 GTACTGCTGCACCACGCT 1347 c.1046_1063 GGTACTGCTGCACCACGC 1348 c.1047_1064 AGGTACTGCTGCACCACG 1349 c.1048_1065 CAGGTACTGCTGCACCAC 1350 c.1049_1066 CCAGGTACTGCTGCACCA 1351 c.1050_1067 TCCAGGTACTGCTGCACC 1352 c.1051_1068 GTCCAGGTACTGCTGCAC 1353 c.1052_1069 CGTCCAGGTACTGCTGCA 1354 c.1053_1070 ACGTCCAGGTACTGCTGC 1355 c.1054_1071 AACGTCCAGGTACTGCTG 1356 c.1055_1072 CAACGTCCAGGTACTGCT 1357 c.1056_1073 ACAACGTCCAGGTACTGC 1358 c.1057_1074 CACAACGTCCAGGTACTG 1359 c.1058_1075 CCACAACGTCCAGGTACT 1360 c.1059_1075+1 CCCACAACGTCCAGGTAC 1361 c.1060_1075+2 ACCCACAACGTCCAGGTA 1362 c.1061_1075+3 TACCCACAACGTCCAGGT 1363 c.1062_1075+4 CTACCCACAACGTCCAGG 1364 c.1063_1075+5 CCTACCCACAACGTCCAG 1365 c.1064_1075+6 CCCTACCCACAACGTCCA 1366 c.1065_1075+7 GCCCTACCCACAACGTCC 1367 c.1066_1075+8 GGCCCTACCCACAACGTC 1368 c.1067_1075+9 AGGCCCTACCCACAACGT 1369 c.1068_1075+10 CAGGCCCTACCCACAACG 1370 c.1069_1075+11 GCAGGCCCTACCCACAAC 1371 c.1070_1075+12 AGCAGGCCCTACCCACAA 1372 c.1071_1075+13 GAGCAGGCCCTACCCACA 1373 c.1072_1075+14 GGAGCAGGCCCTACCCAC 1374 c.1073_1075+15 GGGAGCAGGCCCTACCCA 1375 c.1074_1075+16 AGGGAGCAGGCCCTACCC 1376 c.1075_1075+17 CAGGGAGCAGGCCCTACC 1377 c.1075+1_+18 CCAGGGAGCAGGCCCTAC 1378 c.1075+2_+19 GCCAGGGAGCAGGCCCTA 1379 c.1075+3_+20 GGCCAGGGAGCAGGCCCT 1380 c.1075+4_+21 CGGCCAGGGAGCAGGCCC 1381 c.1075+5_+22 GCGGCCAGGGAGCAGGCC 1382 c.1075+6_+23 CGCGGCCAGGGAGCAGGC 1383 c.1075+7_+24 CCGCGGCCAGGGAGCAGG 1384 c.1075+8_+25 GCCGCGGCCAGGGAGCAG 1385 c.1075+9_+26 GGCCGCGGCCAGGGAGCA 1386 c.1075+10_+27 GGGCCGCGGCCAGGGAGC 1387 c.1075+11_+28 GGGGCCGCGGCCAGGGAG 1388 c.1075+12_+29 GGGGGCCGCGGCCAGGGA 1389 c.1075+13_+30 CGGGGGCCGCGGCCAGGG 1390 c.1075+14_+31 GCGGGGGCCGCGGCCAGG 1391 c.1075+15_+32 GGCGGGGGCCGCGGCCAG 1392 c.1075+16_+33 GGGCGGGGGCCGCGGCCA 1393 c.1075+17_+34 GGGGCGGGGGCCGCGGCC 1394 c.1075+18_+35 TGGGGCGGGGGCCGCGGC 1395 c.1075+19_+36 TTGGGGCGGGGGCCGCGG 1396 c.1075+20_+37 CTTGGGGCGGGGGCCGCG 1397 c.1075+21_+38 CCTTGGGGCGGGGGCCGC 1398 c.1075+22_+39 GCCTTGGGGCGGGGGCCG 1399 c.1075+23_+40 AGCCTTGGGGCGGGGGCC 1400 c.1075+24_1076-39 GAGCCTTGGGGCGGGGGC 1401 c.1075+25_1076-38 GGAGCCTTGGGGCGGGGG 1402 c.1075+26_1076-37 GGGAGCCTTGGGGCGGGG 1403 c.1075+27_1076-36 AGGGAGCCTTGGGGCGGG 1404 c.1075+28_1076-35 GAGGGAGCCTTGGGGCGG 1405 c.1075+29_1076-34 GGAGGGAGCCTTGGGGCG 1406 c.1075+30_1076-33 AGGAGGGAGCCTTGGGGC 1407 c.1075+31_1076-32 GAGGAGGGAGCCTTGGGG 1408 c.1075+32_1076-31 GGAGGAGGGAGCCTTGGG 1409 c.1075+33_1076-30 GGGAGGAGGGAGCCTTGG 1410 c.1075+34_1076-29 AGGGAGGAGGGAGCCTTG 1411 c.1075+35_1076-28 GAGGGAGGAGGGAGCCTT 1412 c.1075+36_1076-27 GGAGGGAGGAGGGAGCCT 1413 c.1075+37_1076-26 GGGAGGGAGGAGGGAGCC 1414 c.1075+38_1076-25 AGGGAGGGAGGAGGGAGC 1415 c.1075+39_1076-24 GAGGGAGGGAGGAGGGAG 1416 c.1075+40_1076-23 TGAGGGAGGGAGGAGGGA 1417 c.1076-39_-22 ATGAGGGAGGGAGGAGGG 1418 c.1076-38_-21 CATGAGGGAGGGAGGAGG 1419 c.1076-37_-20 TCATGAGGGAGGGAGGAG 1420 c.1076-36_-19 TTCATGAGGGAGGGAGGA 1421 c.1076-35_-18 CTTCATGAGGGAGGGAGG 1422 c.1076-34_-17 ACTTCATGAGGGAGGGAG 1423 c.1076-33_-16 GACTTCATGAGGGAGGGA 1424 c.1076-32_-15 CGACTTCATGAGGGAGGG 1425 c.1076-31_-14 CCGACTTCATGAGGGAGG 1426 c.1076-30_-13 GCCGACTTCATGAGGGAG 1427 c.1076-29_-12 CGCCGACTTCATGAGGGA 1428 c.1076-28_-11 ACGCCGACTTCATGAGGG 1429 c.1076-27_-10 AACGCCGACTTCATGAGG 1430 c.1076-26_-9 CAACGCCGACTTCATGAG 1431 c.1076-25_-8 CCAACGCCGACTTCATGA 1432 c.1076-24_-7 GCCAACGCCGACTTCATG 1433 c.1076-23_-6 GGCCAACGCCGACTTCAT 1434 c.1076-22_-5 AGGCCAACGCCGACTTCA 1435 c.1076-21_-4 CAGGCCAACGCCGACTTC 1436 c.1076-20_-3 GCAGGCCAACGCCGACTT 1437 c.1076-19_-2 TGCAGGCCAACGCCGACT 1438 c.1076-18_-1 CTGCAGGCCAACGCCGAC 1439 c.1076-17_1076 CCTGCAGGCCAACGCCGA 1440 c.1076-16_1077 TCCTGCAGGCCAACGCCG 1441 c.1076-15_1078 ATCCTGCAGGCCAACGCC 1442 c.1076-14_1079 TATCCTGCAGGCCAACGC 1443 c.1076-13_1080 GTATCCTGCAGGCCAACG 1444 c.1076-12_1081 GGTATCCTGCAGGCCAAC 1445 c.1076-11_1082 GGGTATCCTGCAGGCCAA 1446 c.1076-10_1083 CGGGTATCCTGCAGGCCA 1447 c.1076-9_1084 ACGGGTATCCTGCAGGCC 1448 c.1076-8_1085 AACGGGTATCCTGCAGGC 1449 c.1076-7_1086 GAACGGGTATCCTGCAGG 1450 c.1076-6_1087 TGAACGGGTATCCTGCAG 1451 c.1076-5_1088 ATGAACGGGTATCCTGCA 1452 c.1076-4_1089 CATGAACGGGTATCCTGC 1453 c.1076-3_1090 GCATGAACGGGTATCCTG 1454 c.1076-2_1091 GGCATGAACGGGTATCCT 1455 c.1076-1_1092 CGGCATGAACGGGTATCC 1456 c.1076_1093 GCGGCATGAACGGGTATC 1457 c.1077_1094 GGCGGCATGAACGGGTAT 1458 c.1078_1095 TGGCGGCATGAACGGGTA 1459 c.1079_1096 ATGGCGGCATGAACGGGT 1460 c.1080_1097 TATGGCGGCATGAACGGG 1461 c.1081_1098 GTATGGCGGCATGAACGG 1462 c.1082_1099 AGTATGGCGGCATGAACG 1463 c.1083_1100 CAGTATGGCGGCATGAAC 1464 c.1084_1101 CCAGTATGGCGGCATGAA 1465 c.1085_1102 CCCAGTATGGCGGCATGA 1466 c.1086_1103 CCCCAGTATGGCGGCATG 1467 c.1087_1104 GCCCCAGTATGGCGGCAT 1468 c.1088_1105 GGCCCCAGTATGGCGGCA 1469 c.1089_1106 AGGCCCCAGTATGGCGGC 1470 c.1090_1107 CAGGCCCCAGTATGGCGG 1471 c.1091_1108 CCAGGCCCCAGTATGGCG 1472 c.1092_1109 CCCAGGCCCCAGTATGGC 1473 c.1093_1110 GCCCAGGCCCCAGTATGG 1474 c.1094_1111 AGCCCAGGCCCCAGTATG 1475 c.1095_1112 AAGCCCAGGCCCCAGTAT 1476 c.1096_1113 GAAGCCCAGGCCCCAGTA 1477 c.1097_1114 GGAAGCCCAGGCCCCAGT 1478 c.1098_1115 TGGAAGCCCAGGCCCCAG 1479 c.1099_1116 GTGGAAGCCCAGGCCCCA 1480 c.1100_1117 GGTGGAAGCCCAGGCCCC 1481 c.1101_1118 AGGTGGAAGCCCAGGCCC 1482 c.1102_1119 CAGGTGGAAGCCCAGGCC 1483 c.1103_1120 ACAGGTGGAAGCCCAGGC 1484 c.1104_1121 CACAGGTGGAAGCCCAGG 1485 c.1105_1122 GCACAGGTGGAAGCCCAG 1486 c.1106_1123 GGCACAGGTGGAAGCCCA 1487 c.1107_1124 CGGCACAGGTGGAAGCCC 1488 c.1108_1125 GCGGCACAGGTGGAAGCC 1489 c.1109_1126 AGCGGCACAGGTGGAAGC 1490 c.1110_1127 CAGCGGCACAGGTGGAAG 1491 c.1111_1128 CCAGCGGCACAGGTGGAA 1492 c.1112_1129 CCCAGCGGCACAGGTGGA 1493 c.1113_1130 CCCCAGCGGCACAGGTGG 1494 c.1114_1131 GCCCCAGCGGCACAGGTG 1495 c.1115_1132 AGCCCCAGCGGCACAGGT 1496 c.1116_1133 TAGCCCCAGCGGCACAGG 1497 c.1117_1134 GTAGCCCCAGCGGCACAG 1498 c.1118_1135 AGTAGCCCCAGCGGCACA 1499 c.1119_1136 GAGTAGCCCCAGCGGCAC 1500 c.1120_1137 GGAGTAGCCCCAGCGGCA 1501 c.1121_1138 AGGAGTAGCCCCAGCGGC 1502 c.1122_1139 GAGGAGTAGCCCCAGCGG 1503 c.1123_1140 GGAGGAGTAGCCCCAGCG 1504 c.1124_1141 TGGAGGAGTAGCCCCAGC 1505 c.1125_1142 GTGGAGGAGTAGCCCCAG 1506 c.1126_1143 GGTGGAGGAGTAGCCCCA 1507 c.1127_1144 CGGTGGAGGAGTAGCCCC 1508 c.1128_1145 GCGGTGGAGGAGTAGCCC 1509 c.1129_1146 AGCGGTGGAGGAGTAGCC 1510 c.1130_1147 TAGCGGTGGAGGAGTAGC 1511 c.1131_1148 ATAGCGGTGGAGGAGTAG 1512 c.1132_1149 GATAGCGGTGGAGGAGTA 1513 c.1133_1150 TGATAGCGGTGGAGGAGT 1514 c.1134_1151 GTGATAGCGGTGGAGGAG 1515 c.1135_1152 GGTGATAGCGGTGGAGGA 1516 c.1136_1153 GGGTGATAGCGGTGGAGG 1517 c.1137_1154 CGGGTGATAGCGGTGGAG 1518 c.1138_1155 GCGGGTGATAGCGGTGGA 1519 c.1139_1156 GGCGGGTGATAGCGGTGG 1520 c.1140_1157 TGGCGGGTGATAGCGGTG 1521 c.1141_1158 CTGGCGGGTGATAGCGGT 1522 c.1142_1159 CCTGGCGGGTGATAGCGG 1523 c.1143_1160 ACCTGGCGGGTGATAGCG 1524 c.1144_1161 CACCTGGCGGGTGATAGC 1525 c.1145_1162 CCACCTGGCGGGTGATAG 1526 c.1146_1163 ACCACCTGGCGGGTGATA 1527 c.1147_1164 CACCACCTGGCGGGTGAT 1528 c.1148_1165 CCACCACCTGGCGGGTGA 1529 c.1149_1166 TCCACCACCTGGCGGGTG 1530 c.1150_1167 CTCCACCACCTGGCGGGT 1531 c.1151_1168 TCTCCACCACCTGGCGGG 1532 c.1152_1169 TTCTCCACCACCTGGCGG 1533 c.1153_1170 GTTCTCCACCACCTGGCG 1534 c.1154_1171 TGTTCTCCACCACCTGGC 1535 c.1155_1172 ATGTTCTCCACCACCTGG 1536 c.1156_1173 CATGTTCTCCACCACCTG 1537 c.1157_1174 TCATGTTCTCCACCACCT 1538 c.1158_1175 GTCATGTTCTCCACCACC 1539 c.1159_1176 GGTCATGTTCTCCACCAC 1540 c.1160_1177 TGGTCATGTTCTCCACCA 1541 c.1161_1178 CTGGTCATGTTCTCCACC 1542 c.1162_1179 CCTGGTCATGTTCTCCAC 1543 c.1163_1180 CCCTGGTCATGTTCTCCA 1544 c.1164_1181 GCCCTGGTCATGTTCTCC 1545 c.1165_1182 GGCCCTGGTCATGTTCTC 1546 c.1166_1183 GGGCCCTGGTCATGTTCT 1547 c.1167_1184 TGGGCCCTGGTCATGTTC 1548 c.1168_1185 GTGGGCCCTGGTCATGTT 1549 c.1169_1186 AGTGGGCCCTGGTCATGT 1550 c.1170_1187 AAGTGGGCCCTGGTCATG 1551 c.1171_1188 GAAGTGGGCCCTGGTCAT 1552 c.1172_1189 GGAAGTGGGCCCTGGTCA 1553 c.1173_1190 GGGAAGTGGGCCCTGGTC 1554 c.1174_1191 GGGGAAGTGGGCCCTGGT 1555 c.1175_1192 GGGGGAAGTGGGCCCTGG 1556 c.1176_1193 AGGGGGAAGTGGGCCCTG 1557 c.1177_1194 CAGGGGGAAGTGGGCCCT 1558 c.1178_1194+1 CCAGGGGGAAGTGGGCCC 1559 c.1179_1194+2 ACCAGGGGGAAGTGGGCC 1560 c.1180_1194+3 CACCAGGGGGAAGTGGGC 1561 c.1181_1194+4 TCACCAGGGGGAAGTGGG 1562 c.1182_1194+5 CTCACCAGGGGGAAGTGG 1563 c.1183_1194+6 ACTCACCAGGGGGAAGTG 1564 c.1184_1194+7 AACTCACCAGGGGGAAGT 1565 c.1185_1194+8 CAACTCACCAGGGGGAAG 1566 c.1186_1194+9 CCAACTCACCAGGGGGAA 1567 c.1187_1194+10 CCCAACTCACCAGGGGGA 1568 c.1188_1194+11 CCCCAACTCACCAGGGGG 1569 c.1189_1194+12 ACCCCAACTCACCAGGGG 1570 c.1190_1194+13 CACCCCAACTCACCAGGG 1571 c.1191_1194+14 CCACCCCAACTCACCAGG 1572 c.1192_1194+15 ACCACCCCAACTCACCAG 1573 c.1193_1194+16 CACCACCCCAACTCACCA 1574 c.1194_1194+17 CCACCACCCCAACTCACC 1575 c.1194+1_+18 GCCACCACCCCAACTCAC 1576 c.1194+2_+19 TGCCACCACCCCAACTCA 1577 c.1194+3_+20 CTGCCACCACCCCAACTC 1578 c.1194+4_+21 CCTGCCACCACCCCAACT 1579 c.1194+5_+22 CCCTGCCACCACCCCAAC 1580 c.1194+6_+23 CCCCTGCCACCACCCCAA 1581 c.1194+7_+24 TCCCCTGCCACCACCCCA 1582 c.1194+8_+25 CTCCCCTGCCACCACCCC 1583

In the above examples the sequences are 18, 21 and 25 nucleotides long however longer variants or shorter fragment are also envisioned. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of the present invention and/or embodiments thereof the antisense oligomeric compounds are selected from the group of SEQ ID NO: 541-1583 and fragments and variants thereof having at least 80% sequence identity. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of the present invention and/or embodiments thereof the antisense oligomeric compounds are selected from the group of SEQ ID NO: 541-1583 and fragments and variants thereof having at least 80%,83%, 85%, 87%, 90%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 541-1583.

Or sequences that are at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 541-1583. Preferably at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 541-1583, more preferably at least 88% identical to SEQ ID NO: 541-1583, more preferably at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 541-1583. more preferably at least 91% identical to SEQ ID NO: 541-1583, more preferably at least 92% identical to SEQ ID NO: 541-1583, more preferably at least 93% identical to SEQ ID NO: 541-1583, more preferably at least 94% identical to SEQ ID NO: 541-1583, more preferably at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 541-1583, more preferably at least 96% identical to SEQ ID NO: 541-1583, more preferably at least 97% identical to SEQ ID NO: 541-1583, more preferably at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 541-1583, more preferably at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 541-1583.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of the present invention and/or embodiments thereof the antisense oligomeric compounds are selected from the group of fragments SEQ ID NO: 541-1583, wherein the fragment is 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, or 24 nucleotides long. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of the present invention and/or embodiments thereof the antisense oligomeric compounds are selected from the group of fragments SEQ ID NO: 541-1583, wherein the fragment is 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, or 22 nucleotides long. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof of the present invention and/or embodiments thereof the antisense oligomeric compounds are selected from the group of fragments SEQ ID NO: 541-1583, wherein the fragment is 19, 20, or 21 nucleotides long.

The antisense oligomeric compound may be also be complementary to a genomic nucleic acid sequence of GAA gene targeting the location that comprises the position of a mutation selected from the group

c.-32-13T>G (IVS1), c.1636+5G>T, c.525delT, c.-32-3C>G, c. 1551+1G>A, c.1075G>A, c.1552-3C>G, c.1437G>A, c.1256A>T, c.1551+1G>T.

Preferably the genomic nucleic acid sequence is pre-mRNA.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense oligomeric compound may be also be complementary to a genomic nucleic acid sequence of GAA gene targeting the location that comprises the position of a mutation selected from the group comprising

c.-32-3C>G, c.-32-13T>G, c.-32-102T>C, c.-32-56C>T, c.-32-46G>A, c.-32-28C>A, c.-32-28C>T, c.-32-21G>A, c.7G>A, c.11G>A, c.15_17AAA, c.17C>T, c.19_21AAA, c.26_28AAA, c.33_35AAA, c.39G>A, c.42C>T, c.90C>T, c.112G>A, c.137C>T, c.164C>T, c.348G>A, c.373C>T, c.413T>A, c.469C>T, c.476T>C, c.476T>G, c.478T>G, c.482C>T, c.510C>T, c.515T>A, c.520G>A, c.546+11C>T, c.546+14G>A, c.546+19G>A, c.546+23C>A, c.547-6, c.1071, c.1254, and c.1552-30.

Preferably the genomic nucleic acid sequence is pre-mRNA

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense oligomeric compound may be also be complementary to a genomic nucleic acid sequence of GAA gene targeting the location that comprises the position of a mutation selected from the group comprising c.17C>T c.469C>T c.546+23C>A, c.-32-102T>C c.-32-56C>T c.11G>A c.112G>A c.137C>T.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense oligomeric compound may be also be complementary to a genomic nucleic acid sequence of GAA gene targeting the location that comprises the position of a mutation selected from the group comprising c.17C>T c.469C>T c.546+23C>A.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense oligomeric compound may be also be complementary to a genomic nucleic acid sequence of GAA gene targeting the location that comprises the position of a mutation selected from the group comprising c.-32-102T>C c.-32-56C>T c.11G>A c.112G>A c.137C>T.

Most preferred are antisense oligomeric compounds that are complementary to a genomic nucleic acid sequence of GAA gene targeting the location that comprises the position of a mutation c.-32-13T>G (IVS1).

Most preferred are antisense oligomeric compounds that are complementary to a genomic nucleic acid sequence of GAA gene targeting the location that comprises the position of a mutation c.-32-3C>G, c.1256A>T, c.1551+1G>T, c.546G>T.

Most preferred are antisense oligomeric compounds that are complementary to a genomic nucleic acid sequence of GAA gene targeting the location that comprises the position of a mutation c.-32-3C>G.

Most preferred are antisense oligomeric compounds that are complementary to a genomic nucleic acid sequence of GAA gene targeting SEQ ID NO: 1.

(SEQ ID NO: 1) GCTCTGCACTCCCCTGCTGGAGCTTTTCTCGCCCTTCCTTCTGGCCCT CTCCCCA.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense oligomeric compound are 8 to 80 nucleotides in length, 9 to 50 nucleotides in length, 10 to 30 nucleotides in length, 12 to 30 nucleotides in length, 15 to 25 nucleotides in length or about 20 nucleotides in length. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that this comprehends antisense compounds of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, or 80 nucleotides.

In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense compounds comprise 13 to 80 nucleotides. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that this embodies antisense compounds of 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, or 80 nucleotides.

In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense compounds comprise 13 to 50 nucleotides. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that this embodies antisense compounds of 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50 nucleotides.

In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense compounds comprise 13 to 30 nucleotides. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that this embodies antisense compounds of 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30 nucleotides.

In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense compounds comprise 20 to 30 nucleotides. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that this embodies antisense compounds of 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 nucleotides.

In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense compounds comprise 15 to 25 nucleotides. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that this embodies antisense compounds of 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 or 25.

In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense compounds comprise 20 nucleotides.

In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense compounds comprise 19 nucleotides.

In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense compounds comprise 18 nucleotides.

In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense compounds comprise 17 nucleotides.

In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense compounds comprise 16 nucleotides.

In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense compounds comprise 15 nucleotides.

In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense compounds comprise 14 nucleotides.

In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense compounds comprise 13 nucleotides.

In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, compounds include oligonucleotide sequences that comprise at least the 8 consecutive nucleotides from one of the antisense compounds as claimed. Preferably at least 9 consecutive nucleotides from one of the antisense compounds as claimed, more preferably at least 10 consecutive nucleotides from one of the antisense compounds as claimed, more preferably at least 11 consecutive nucleotides from one of the antisense compounds as claimed, more preferably at least 12 consecutive nucleotides from one of the antisense compounds as claimed, more preferably at least 13 consecutive nucleotides from one of the antisense compounds as claimed, more preferably at least 14 consecutive nucleotides from one of the antisense compounds as claimed, more preferably at least 15 consecutive nucleotides from one of the antisense compounds as claimed, more preferably at least 16 consecutive nucleotides from one of the antisense compounds as claimed, more preferably at least 17 consecutive nucleotides from one of the antisense compounds as claimed, more preferably at least 18 consecutive nucleotides from one of the antisense compounds as claimed, more preferably at least 19 consecutive nucleotides from one of the antisense compounds as claimed, more preferably at least 20 consecutive nucleotides from one of the antisense compounds as claimed.

Any remaining nucleotides from the oligonuclotides may be oligonucleotides that improve resistance to Rnase H, cell-targeting sequences, cell penetrating sequences, marker sequences or any other sequences.

One having skill in the art armed with the antisense compounds disclosed herein will be able, without undue experimentation, to identify further antisense compounds.

In order for an antisense oligonucleotide to achieve therapeutic success, oligonucleotide chemistry must allow for adequate cellular uptake (Kurreck, J. (2003) Eur. J. Biochem. 270:1628-1644). Splicing oligonucleotides have traditionally been comprised of uniform modifications that render the oligonucleotide RNA-like, and thus resistant to cleavage by RNase H, which is critical to achieve modulation of splicing. Provided herein are antisense compounds for modulation of splicing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense compounds are chimeric, with regions of RNA-like and DNA-like chemistry. Despite regions of DNA-like chemistry, the chimeric compounds are preferably RNase H-resistant and effectively modulate splicing of target mRNA in vitro and in vivo. In another preferred embodiment the disclosed antisense oligomeric compounds show enhanced cellular uptake and greater pharmacologic activity compared with uniformly modified oligonucleotides.

Contemplated herein are antisense oligomeric compound which are targeted to a splice site of a target mRNA or to splicing repressor sequences, or to splicing enhancer sequences, preferably to splicing repressor sequences. Splice sites include aberrant and cryptic splice sites.

One skilled in the art recognizes that the inclusion of mismatches is possible without eliminating the activity of the antisense compound. Compounds provided herein are therefore directed to those antisense compounds that may contain up to about 20% nucleotides that disrupt base pairing of the antisense compound to the target. Preferably the compounds contain no more than about 15%, more preferably not more than about 10%, most preferably not more than 5% or no mismatches. The remaining nucleotides do not disrupt hybridization (e.g., universal bases).

It is understood in the art that incorporation of nucleotide affinity modifications may allow for a greater number of mismatches compared to an unmodified compound. Similarly, certain oligonucleotide sequences may be more tolerant to mismatches than other oligonucleotide sequences. One of the skill in the art is capable of determining an appropriate number of mismatches between oligonucleotides, or between an oligonucleotide and a target nucleic acid, such as by determining melting temperature.

It is known by a skilled person that hybridization to a target mRNA depends on the conditions. “Stringent hybridization conditions” or “stringent conditions” refer to conditions under which an oligomeric compound will hybridize to its target sequence, but to a minimal number of other sequences. Stringent conditions are sequence-dependent and will be different in different circumstances, and “stringent conditions” under which oligomeric compounds hybridize to a target sequence are determined by the nature and composition of the oligomeric compounds and the assays in which they are being investigated.

Antisense compounds, or a portion thereof, may have a defined percent identity to a SEQ ID NO, or a compound having a specific Isis number. As used herein, a sequence is identical to the sequence disclosed herein if it has the same nucleobase pairing ability. For example, a RNA which contains uracil in place of thymidine in the disclosed sequences would be considered identical as they both pair with adenine. This identity may be over the entire length of the oligomeric compound, or in a portion of the antisense compound (e.g., nucleotides 1-20 of a 27-mer may be compared to a 20-mer to determine percent identity of the oligomeric compound to the SEQ ID NO.) It is understood by those skilled in the art that an antisense compound need not have an identical sequence to those described herein to function similarly to the antisense compound described herein. Shortened versions of antisense compound taught herein, or non-identical versions of the antisense compound taught herein are also contemplated. Non-identical versions are those wherein each base does not have the same pairing activity as the antisense compounds disclosed herein. Bases do not have the same pairing activity by being shorter or having at least one abasic site. Alternatively, a non-identical version can include at least one base replaced with a different base with different pairing activity (e.g., G can be replaced by C, A, or T). Percent identity is calculated according to the number of bases that have identical base pairing corresponding to the SEQ ID NO or antisense compound to which it is being compared. The non-identical bases may be adjacent to each other, dispersed through out the oligonucleotide, or both.

For example, a 16-mer having the same sequence as nucleotides 2-17 of a 20-mer is 80% identical to the 20-mer. Alternatively, a 20-mer containing four nucleotides not identical to the 20-mer is also 80% identical to the 20-mer. A 14-mer having the same sequence as nucleotides 1-14 of an 18-mer is 78% identical to the 18-mer. Such calculations are well within the ability of those skilled in the art.

The percent identity is based on the percent of nucleotides in the original sequence present in a portion of the modified sequence. Therefore, a 30 nucleobase antisense compound comprising the full sequence of the complement of a 20 nucleobase active target segment would have a portion of 100% identity with the complement of the 20 nucleobase active target segment, while further comprising an additional 10 nucleobase portion. The complement of an active target segment may constitute a single portion. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the oligonucleotides are at least about 80%, more preferably at least about 85%, even more preferably at least about 90%, most preferably at least 95% identical to at least a portion of the complement of the active target segments presented herein.

It is well known by those skilled in the art that it is possible to increase or decrease the length of an antisense compound and/or introduce mismatch bases without eliminating activity. For example, in Woolf et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:7305-7310, 1992, incorporated herein by reference), a series of antisense oligomeric compounds of 13-25 nucleotides in length were tested for their ability to induce cleavage of a target RNA. Antisense oligomeric compounds of 25 nucleotides in length with 8 or 11 mismatch bases near the ends of the antisense oligomeric compounds were able to direct specific cleavage of the target mRNA, albeit to a lesser extent than the antisense oligomeric compounds that contained no mismatches. Similarly, target specific cleavage was achieved using a 13 nucleobase antisense oligomeric compounds, including those with 1 or 3 mismatches. Maher and Dolnick (Nuc. Acid. Res. 16:3341-3358,1988, incorporated herein by reference) tested a series of tandem 14 nucleobase antisense oligomeric compounds, and a 28 and 42 nucleobase antisense oligomeric compounds comprised of the sequence of two or three of the tandem antisense oligomeric compounds, respectively, for their ability to arrest translation of human DHFR in a rabbit reticulocyte assay. Each of the three 14 nucleobase antisense oligomeric compounds alone were able to inhibit translation, albeit at a more modest level than the 28 or 42 nucleobase antisense oligomeric compounds. It is understood that antisense compounds can vary in length and percent complementarity to the target provided that they maintain the desired activity. Methods to determine desired activity are disclosed herein and well known to those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense oligomeric compounds have at least 80% complementarity to the target mRNA, more preferably at least 85% complementarity to the target mRNA, more preferably at least 90% complementarity to the target mRNA, more preferably at least 95% complementarity to the target mRNA, more preferably at least 96% complementarity to the target mRNA, more preferably at least 97% complementarity to the target mRNA, more preferably at least 98% complementarity to the target mRNA, more preferably at least 99% complementarity to the target mRNA, more preferably at least 100% complementarity to the target mRNA.

As is known in the art, a nucleoside is a base-sugar combination. The base portion of the nucleoside is normally a heterocyclic base (sometimes referred to as a “nucleobase” or simply a “base”). The two most common classes of such heterocyclic bases are the purines and the pyrimidines. Nucleotides are nucleosides that further include a phosphate group covalently linked to the sugar portion of the nucleoside. For those nucleosides that include a pentofuranosyl sugar, the phosphate group can be linked to the 2′, 3′ or 5′ hydroxyl moiety of the sugar. In forming oligonucleotides, the phosphate groups covalently link adjacent nucleosides to one another to form a linear polymeric compound. Within oligonucleotides, the phosphate groups are commonly referred to as forming the internucleoside backbone of the oligonucleotide. The normal linkage or backbone of RNA and DNA is a 3′ to 5′ phosphodiester linkage. It is often preferable to include chemical modifications in oligonucleotides to alter their activity. Chemical modifications can alter oligonucleotide activity by, for example: increasing affinity of an antisense oligonucleotide for its target RNA, increasing nuclease resistance, and/or altering the pharmacokinetics of the oligonucleotide. The use of chemistries that increase the affinity of an oligonucleotide for its target can allow for the use of shorter oligonucleotide compounds.

Antisense compounds provided herein may also contain one or more nucleosides having modified sugar moieties. The furanosyl sugar ring of a nucleoside can be modified in a number of ways including, but not limited to, addition of a substituent group, bridging of two non-geminal ring atoms to form a bicyclic nucleic acid (BNA) and substitution of an atom or group such as —S—, —N(R)— or —C(R1)(R2) for the ring oxygen at the 4′-position. Modified sugar moieties are well known and can be used to alter, typically increase, the affinity of the antisense compound for its target and/or increase nuclease resistance. A representative list of preferred modified sugars includes but is not limited to bicyclic modified sugars (BNA's), including LNA and ENA (4′-(CH2)2-O-2′ bridge); and substituted sugars, especially 2′-substituted sugars having a 2′-F, 2′-OCH2 or a 2′-O(CH2)2-OCH3 substituent group. Sugars can also be replaced with sugar mimetic groups among others. Methods for the preparations of modified sugars are well known to those skilled in the art. Suitable compounds can comprise one of the following at the 2′ position: OH; F; O-, S-, or N-alkyl; O-, S-, or N-alkenyl; O-, S- or N-alkynyl; or O-alkyl-O-alkyl, wherein the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl may be substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl or C2 to C10 alkenyl and alkynyl. Also suitable are O((CH2)nO)mCH3, O(CH2)nOCH3, O(CH2)nNH2, O(CH2)nCH3, O(CH2)nONH2, and O(CH2)nON((CH2)nCH3)2, where n and m are from 1 to about 10. Other oligonucleotides comprise one of the following at the 2′ position: C1 to C10 lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, O-alkaryl or O-aralkyl, SH, SCH3, OCN, Cl, Br, CN, CF3, OCF3, SOCH3, SO2CH3, ONO2, NO2, N3, NH2, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkaryl, aminoalkylamino, poly-alkylamino, substituted silyl, an RNA cleaving group, a reporter group, an intercalator, a group for improving the pharmacokinetic properties of an oligonucleotide, or a group for improving the pharmacodynamic properties of an oligonucleotide, and other substituents having similar properties. One modification includes 2′-methoxyethoxy (2′-O-CH2CH2OCH3, also known as 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) or 2′-MOE) (Martin et al., Helv. Chim. Acta, 1995, 78, 486-504), i.e., an alkoxyalkoxy group. A further modification includes 2′-dimethylaminooxyethoxy, i.e., a O(CH2)2ON(CH3)2 group, also known as 2′-DMAOE, and 2′-dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy (also known in the art as 2′-O-dimethyl-amino-ethoxy-ethyl or 2′-DMAEOE), i.e., 2′-O—(CH2)2-O—(CH2)2-N(CH3)2. Other modifications include 2′-methoxy (2′-O—CH3), 2′-aminopropoxy (2′-OCH2CH2CH2NH2), 2′-allyl (2′-CH2-CH—CH2), 2′-O-allyl (2′-O-CH2-CH—CH2) and 2′-fluoro (2′-F). The 2′-modification may be in the arabino (up) position or ribo (down) position. One 2′-arabino modification is 2′-F. Similar modifications may also be made at other positions on the oligonucleotide, particularly the 3′ position of the sugar on the 3′ terminal nucleotide or in 2′-5′ linked oligonucleotides and the 5′ position of 5′ terminal nucleotide. Antisense compounds may also have sugar mimetics such as cyclobutyl moieties in place of the pentofuranosyl sugar. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such modified sugar structures include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,981,957; 5,118,800; 5,319,080; 5,359,044; 5,393,878; 5,446,137; 5,466,786; 5,514,785; 5,519,134; 5,567,811; 5,576,427; 5,591,722; 5,597,909; 5,610,300; 5,627,053; 5,639,873; 5,646,265; 5,658,873; 5,670,633; 5,792,747; 5,700,920; and, 6,147,200.

In one aspect of the present invention oligomeric compounds include nucleosides modified to induce a 3′-endo sugar conformation. A nucleoside can incorporate modifications of the heterocyclic base, the sugar moiety or both to induce a desired 3′-endo sugar conformation. These modified nucleosides are used to mimic RNA-like nucleosides so that particular properties of an oligomeric compound can be enhanced while maintaining the desirable 3′-endo conformational geometry.

In the present invention there is a preference for an RNA type duplex (A form helix, predominantly 3′-endo) as they are RnasH resistant. Properties that are enhanced by using more stable 3′-endo nucleosides include but are not limited to: modulation of pharmacokinetic properties through modification of protein binding, protein off-rate, absorption and clearance; modulation of nuclease stability as well as chemical stability; modulation of the binding affinity and specificity of the oligomer (affinity and specificity for enzymes as well as for complementary sequences); and increasing efficacy of RNA cleavage.

Nucleoside conformation is influenced by various factors including substitution at the 2′, 3′ or 4′-positions of the pentofuranosyl sugar. Electronegative substituents generally prefer the axial positions, while sterically demanding substituents generally prefer the equatorial positions (Principles of Nucleic Acid Structure, Wolfgang Sanger, 1984, Springer-Verlag.) Modification of the 2′ position to favor the 3′-endo conformation can be achieved while maintaining the 2′-OH as a recognition element (Gallo et al., Tetrahedron (2001), 57, 5707-5713. Harry-O'kuru et al., J. Org. Chem., (1997), 62(6), 1754-1759 and Tang et al., J. Org. Chem. (1999), 64, 747-754.) Alternatively, preference for the 3′-endo conformation can be achieved by deletion of the 2′-OH as exemplified by 2′ deoxy-2′F-nucleosides (Kawasaki et al., J. Med. Chem. (1993), 36, 831-841), which adopts the 3′-endo conformation positioning the electronegative fluorine atom in the axial position. Representative 2′-substituent groups amenable to the present invention that give A-form conformational properties (3′-endo) to the resultant duplexes include 2′-O-alkyl, 2′-O-substituted alkyl and 2′-fluoro substituent groups. Other suitable substituent groups are various alkyl and aryl ethers and thioethers, amines and monoalkyl and dialkyl substituted amines.

Other modifications of the ribose ring, for example substitution at the 4′-position to give 4′-F modified nucleosides (Guillerm et al., Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters (1995), 5, 1455-1460 and Owen et al., J. Org. Chem. (1976), 41, 3010-3017), or for example modification to yield methanocarba nucleoside analogs (Jacobson et al., J. Med. Chem. Lett. (2000), 43, 2196-2203 and Lee et al., Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters (2001), 11, 1333-1337) also induce preference for the 3′-endo conformation. Along similar lines, one or more nucleosides may be modified in such a way that conformation is locked into a C3′-endo type conformation, i.e. Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA, Singh et al, Chem. Commun. (1998), 4, 455-456), and ethylene bridged Nucleic Acids (ENA™, Morita et al, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters (2002), 12, 73-76.)

Preferred modification of the sugar are selected from the group consisting of 2′-O-methyl 2′-O-methoxyethyl, 2′-fluoro, 2′-dimethylaminooxyethoxy, 2′-dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy, 2′-guanidinium, 2′-O-guanidinium ethyl, 2′-carbamate, 2′-aminooxy, 2′-acetamido and locked nucleic acid. In one preferred embodiment, the sugar modification is 2′-O-methyl or 2′-O-methoxyethyl.

Oligomeric compounds can also include nucleobase (often referred to in the art as heterocyclic base or simply as “base”) modifications or substitutions. As used herein, “unmodified” or “natural” nucleotides include the purine bases adenine (A) and guanine (G), and the pyrimidine bases thymine (T), cytosine (C) and uracil (U). A “substitution” is the replacement of an unmodified or natural base with another unmodified or natural base. “Modified” nucleotides mean other synthetic and natural nucleotides such as 5-methylcytosine (5-me-C), 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, 2-aminoadenine, 6-methyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-propyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-thiouracil, 2-thiothymine and 2-thiocytosine, 5-halouracil and cytosine, 5-propynyl (—C[identical to]C—CH3) uracil and cytosine and other alkynyl derivatives of pyrimidine bases, 6-azo uracil, cytosine and thymine, 5-uracil (pseudouracil), 4-thiouracil, 8-halo, 8-amino, 8-thiol, 8-thioalkyl, 8-hydroxyl and other 8-substituted adenines and guanines, 5-halo particularly 5-bromo, 5-trifluoromethyl and other 5-substituted uracils and cytosines, 7-methylguanine and 7-methyladenine, 2-F-adenine, 2-amino-adenine, 8-azaguanine and 8-azaadenine, 7-deazaguanine and 7-deazaadenine and 3-deazaguanine and 3-deazaadenine. Further modified nucleotides include tricyclic pyrimidines such as phenoxazine cytidine(1H-pyrimido(5,4-b)(1,4)benzoxazin-2(3H)-one), phenothiazine cytidine (1H-pyrimido(5,4-b)(1,4)benzothiazin-2(3H)-one), G-clamps such as a substituted phenoxazine cytidine (e.g. 9-(2-aminoethoxy)-H-pyrimido(5,4-b)(1,4)benzoxazin-2(3H)-one), carbazole cytidine (2H-pyrimido(4,5-b)indol-2-one), pyridoindole cytidine (H-pyrido(3′,2′:4,5)pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2-one). Modified nucleotides may also include those in which the purine or pyrimidine base is replaced with other heterocycles, for example 7-deaza-adenine, 7-deazaguanosine, 2-aminopyridine and 2-pyridone. Further nucleotides include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,808, those disclosed in The Concise Encyclopedia Of Polymer Science And Engineering, pages 858-859, Kroschwitz, J. I., ed. John Wiley & Sons, 1990, those disclosed by Englisch et al., Angewandte Chemie, International Edition, 1991, 30, 613, and those disclosed by Sanghvi, Y. S., Chapter 15, Antisense Research and Applications, pages 289-302, Crooke, S. T. and Lebleu, B., ed., CRC Press, 1993. Certain of these nucleotides are known to those skilled in the art as suitable for increasing the binding affinity of the compounds of the invention. These include 5-substituted pyrimidines, 6-azapyrimidines and N-2, N-6 and O-6 substituted purines, including 2-aminopropyladenine, 5-propynyluracil and 5-propynylcytosine. 5-methylcytosine substitutions have been shown to increase nucleic acid duplex stability by 0.6-1.2° C. and are presently suitable base substitutions, even more particularly when combined with 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar modifications. It is understood in the art that modification of the base does not entail such chemical modifications as to produce substitutions in a nucleic acid sequence.

Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of certain of the above noted modified nucleotides as well as other modified nucleotides include, but are not limited to, the above noted U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,808, as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,845,205; 5,130,302; 5,134,066; 5,175,273; 5,367,066; 5,432,272; 5,457,187; 5,459,255; 5,484,908; 5,502,177; 5,525,711; 5,552,540; 5,587,469; 5,594,121, 5,596,091; 5,614,617; 5,645,985; 5,830,653; 5,763,588; 6,005,096; 5,681,941; and 5,750,692.

Oligomeric compounds of the present invention may also include polycyclic heterocyclic compounds in place of one or more of the naturally-occurring heterocyclic base moieties. A number of tricyclic heterocyclic compounds have been previously reported. These compounds are routinely used in antisense applications to increase the binding properties of the modified strand to a target strand. The most studied modifications are targeted to guanosines hence they have been termed G-clamps or cytidine analogs. Representative cytosine analogs that make 3 hydrogen bonds with a guanosine in a second strand include 1,3-diazaphenoxazine-2-one (Kurchavov, et al., Nucleosides and Nucleotides, 1997, 16, 1837-1846), 1,3-diazaphenothiazine-2-one, (Lin, K.-Y.; Jones, R. J.; Matteucci, M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 117, 3873-3874) and 6,7,8,9-tetrafluoro-1,3-diazaphenoxazine-2-one (Wang, J.; Lin, K.-Y., Matteucci, M. Tetrahedron Lett. 1998, 39, 8385-8388). Incorporated into oligonucleotides these base modifications were shown to hybridize with complementary guanine and the latter was also shown to hybridize with adenine and to enhance helical thermal stability by extended stacking interactions (also see U.S. Pre-Grant Publications 20030207804 and 20030175906).

Further helix-stabilizing properties have been observed when a cytosine analog/substitute has an aminoethoxy moiety attached to the rigid 1,3-diazaphenoxazine-2-one scaffold (Lin, K.-Y.; Matteucci, M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1998, 120, 8531-8532). Binding studies demonstrated that a single incorporation could enhance the binding affinity of a model oligonucleotide to its complementary target DNA or RNA with a ΔTm of up to 18° C. relative to 5-methyl cytosine, which is a high affinity enhancement for a single modification. On the other hand, the gain in helical stability does not compromise the specificity of the oligonucleotides.

Further tricyclic heterocyclic compounds and methods of using them that are amenable to use in the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,028,183, and 6,007,992.

The enhanced binding affinity of the phenoxazine derivatives together with their uncompromised sequence specificity makes them valuable nucleobase analogs for the development of more potent antisense-based drugs. In fact, promising data have been derived from in vitro experiments demonstrating that heptanucleotides containing phenoxazine substitutions are capable to activate RNase H, enhance cellular uptake and exhibit an increased antisense activity (Lin, K-Y; Matteucci, M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1998, 120, 8531-8532). The activity enhancement was even more pronounced in case of G-clamp, as a single substitution was shown to significantly improve the in vitro potency of a 20 mer 2′-deoxyphosphorothioate oligonucleotides (Flanagan, W. M.; Wolf, J. J.; Olson, P.; Grant, D.; Lin, K.-Y.; Wagner, R. W.; Matteucci, M. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1999, 96, 3513-3518).

Further modified polycyclic heterocyclic compounds useful as heterocyclic bases are disclosed in but not limited to, the above noted U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,808, as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,845,205; 5,130,302; 5,134,066; 5,175,273; 5,367,066; 5,432,272; 5,434,257; 5,457,187; 5,459,255; 5,484,908; 5,502,177; 5,525,711; 5,552,540; 5,587,469; 5,594,121, 5,596,091; 5,614,617; 5,645,985; 5,646,269; 5,750,692; 5,830,653; 5,763,588; 6,005,096; and 5,681,941, and U.S. Pre-Grant Publication 20030158403.

The compounds described herein may include internucleoside linking groups that link the nucleosides or otherwise modified monomer units together thereby forming an antisense compound. The two main classes of internucleoside linking groups are defined by the presence or absence of a phosphorus atom. Representative phosphorus containing internucleoside linkages include, but are not limited to, phosphodiesters, phosphotriesters, methylphosphonates, phosphoramidate, and phosphorothioates. Representative non-phosphorus containing internucleoside linking groups include, but are not limited to, methylenemethylimino (—CH2-N(CH3)-O—CH2-), thiodiester (—O—C(O)—S—), thionocarbamate (—O—C(O)(NH)—S—); siloxane (—O—Si(H)2-O—); and N,N′-dimethylhydrazine (—CH2-N(CH3)-N(CH3)-). Modified internucleoside linkages, compared to natural phosphodiester linkages, can be used to alter, typically increase, nuclease resistance of the antisense compound. Internucleoside linkages having a chiral atom may be prepared racemic, chiral, or as a mixture. Representative chiral internucleoside linkages include, but are not limited to, alkylphosphonates and phosphorothioates. Methods of preparation of phosphorous-containing and non-phosphorous-containing linkages are well known to those skilled in the art.

Suitable modified internucleoside linking groups are for example, phosphorothioates, chiral phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, phosphotriesters, aminoalkyl-phosphotriesters, methyl and other alkyl phosphonates including 3′-alkylene phosphonates, 5′-alkylene phosphonates and chiral phosphonates, phosphinates, phosphoramidates including 3′-amino phosphoramidate and aminoalkylphosphoramidates, thionophosphoramidates, thionoalkyl-phosphonates, thionoalkylphosphotriesters, phosphonoacetate and thiophosphonoacetate (see Sheehan et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 2003, 31(14), 4109-4118 and Dellinger et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2003, 125, 940-950), selenophosphates and boranophosphates having normal 3′-5′ linkages, 2′-5′ linked analogs of these, and those having inverted polarity wherein one or more internucleotide linkages is a 3′ to 3′, 5′ to 5′ or 2′ to 2′ linkage. Oligonucleotides having inverted polarity comprise a single 3′ to 3′ linkage at the 3′-most internucleotide linkage, i.e., a single inverted nucleoside residue which may be abasic (the nucleobase is missing or has a hydroxyl group in place thereof). Various salts, mixed salts and free acid forms are also included.

N3′-P5′-phosphoramidates have been reported to exhibit both a high affinity towards a complementary RNA strand and nuclease resistance (Gryaznov et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1994, 116, 3143-3144). N3′-P5′-phosphoramidates have been studied with some success in vivo to specifically down regulate the expression of the c-myc gene (Skorski et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 1997, 94, 3966-3971; and Faira et al., Nat. Biotechnol., 2001, 19, 40-44).

Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of the above phosphorus-containing linkages include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,687,808; 4,469,863; 4,476,301; 5,023,243; 5,177,196; 5,188,897; 5,264,423; 5,276,019; 5,278,302; 5,286,717; 5,321,131; 5,399,676; 5,405,939; 5,453,496; 5,455,233; 5,466,677; 5,476,925; 5,519,126; 5,536,821; 5,541,306; 5,550,111; 5,563,253; 5,571,799; 5,587,361; 5,194,599; 5,565,555; 5,527,899; 5,721,218; 5,672,697 and 5,625,050.

In some embodiments of the invention, oligomeric compounds may have one or more phosphorothioate and/or heteroatom internucleoside linkages, in particular —CH2-NH—O—CH2-, —CH2-N(CH3)-O—CH2- (known as a methylene (methylimino) or MMI backbone), —CH2-O—N(CH3)-CH2-, —CH2-N(CH3)-N(CH3)-CH2- and —O—N(CH3)-CH2-CH2- (wherein the native phosphodiester internucleotide linkage is represented as —O—P(—O)(OH)—O—CH2-). The MMI type internucleoside linkages are disclosed in the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,677. Amide internucleoside linkages are disclosed in the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,240.

Some oligonucleotide backbones that do not include a phosphorus atom therein have backbones that are formed by short chain alkyl or cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages, mixed heteroatom and alkyl or cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages, or one or more short chain heteroatomic or heterocyclic internucleoside linkages. These include those having morpholino linkages (formed in part from the sugar portion of a nucleoside); siloxane backbones; sulfide, sulfoxide and sulfone backbones; formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones; methylene formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones; riboacetyl backbones; alkene containing backbones; sulfamate backbones; methyleneimino and methylenehydrazino backbones; sulfonate and sulfonamide backbones; amide backbones; and others having mixed N, O, S and CH2 component parts.

Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of the above oligonucleosides include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,034,506; 5,166,315; 5,185,444; 5,214,134; 5,216,141; 5,235,033; 5,264,562; 5,264,564; 5,405,938; 5,434,257; 5,466,677; 5,470,967; 5,489,677; 5,541,307; 5,561,225; 5,596,086; 5,602,240; 5,610,289; 5,602,240; 5,608,046; 5,610,289; 5,618,704; 5,623,070; 5,663,312; 5,633,360; 5,677,437; 5,792,608; 5,646,269 and 5,677,439.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof the internucleoside linkage is phosphorothioate, or phosphorodiamidate

It is further intended that multiple modifications can be made to one or more of the oligomeric compounds of the invention at multiple sites of one or more monomeric subunits (nucleosides are suitable) and/or internucleoside linkages to enhance properties such as but not limited to activity in a selected application.

The synthesis of numerous of the modified nucleosides amenable to the present invention are known in the art (see for example, Chemistry of Nucleosides and Nucleotides Vol 1-3, ed. Leroy B. Townsend, 1988, Plenum press). The conformation of modified nucleosides and their oligomers can be estimated by various methods routine to those skilled in the art such as molecular dynamics calculations, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and CD measurements.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the oligomeric compounds of the present invention are morpholino phosphorothioates, or phosphorodiamidate morpholino.

Another group of oligomeric compounds includes oligonucleotide mimetics. As used herein the term “mimetic” refers to groups that are substituted for a sugar, a nucleobase, and/or internucleoside linkage. Generally, a mimetic is used in place of the sugar or sugar-internucleoside linkage combination, and the nucleobase is maintained for hybridization to a selected target. Representative examples of a sugar mimetic include, but are not limited to, cyclohexenyl or morpholino. Representative examples of a mimetic for a sugar-internucleoside linkage combination include, but are not limited to, peptide nucleic acids (PNA) and morpholino groups linked by uncharged achiral linkages. In some instances a mimetic is used in place of the nucleobase. Representative nucleobase mimetics are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to, tricyclic phenoxazine analogs and universal bases (Berger et al., Nuc Acid Res. 2000, 28:2911-14, incorporated herein by reference). Methods of synthesis of sugar, nucleoside and nucleobase mimetics are well known to those skilled in the art. The heterocyclic base moiety or a modified heterocyclic base moiety is preferably maintained for hybridization with an appropriate target nucleic acid.

The compounds described herein may contain one or more asymmetric centers and thus give rise to enantiomers, diastereomers, and other stereoisomeric configurations that may be defined, in terms of absolute stereochemistry, as (R) or (S), [alpha] or [beta], or as (D) or (L) such as for amino acids et al. The present disclosure is meant to include all such possible isomers, as well as their racemic and optically pure forms.

One such oligomeric compound, an oligonucleotide mimetic that has been shown to have excellent hybridization properties, is referred to as a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) (Nielsen et al., Science, 1991, 254, 1497-1500). PNAs have favorable hybridization properties, high biological stability and are electrostatically neutral molecules. PNA compounds have been used to correct aberrant splicing in a transgenic mouse model (Sazani et al., Nat. Biotechnol., 2002, 20, 1228-1233). In PNA oligomeric compounds, the sugar-backbone of an oligonucleotide is replaced with an amide containing backbone, in particular an aminoethylglycine backbone. The nucleotides are bound directly or indirectly to aza nitrogen atoms of the amide portion of the backbone. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of PNA oligomeric compounds include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,539,082; 5,714,331; and 5,719,262. PNA compounds can be obtained commercially from Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif., USA). Numerous modifications to the basic PNA backbone are known in the art; particularly useful are PNA compounds with one or more amino acids conjugated to one or both termini. For example, 1-8 lysine or arginine residues are useful when conjugated to the end of a PNA molecule. A polyarginine tail may be a suitable for enhancing cell penetration.

Another class of oligonucleotide mimetic that has been studied is based on linked morpholino units (morpholino nucleic acid) having heterocyclic bases attached to the morpholino ring. A number of linking groups have been reported that link the morpholino monomeric units in a morpholino nucleic acid. One class of linking groups have been selected to give a non-ionic oligomeric compound. Morpholino-based oligomeric compounds are non-ionic mimetics of oligonucleotides which are less likely to form undesired interactions with cellular proteins (Dwaine A. Braasch and David R. Corey, Biochemistry, 2002, 41(14), 4503-4510). Morpholino-based oligomeric compounds have been studied in zebrafish embryos (see: Genesis, volume 30, issue 3, 2001 and Heasman, J., Dev. Biol., 2002, 243, 209-214). Further studies of morpholino-based oligomeric compounds have also been reported (Nasevicius et al., Nat. Genet., 2000, 26, 216-220; and Lacerra et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 2000, 97, 9591-9596). Morpholino-based oligomeric compounds are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,506. The morpholino class of oligomeric compounds have been prepared having a variety of different linking groups joining the monomeric subunits. Linking groups can be varied from chiral to achiral, and from charged to neutral. U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,315 discloses linkages including —O—P(—O)(N(CH3)2)-O—; U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,506 discloses achiral intermorpholino linkages; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,444 discloses phosphorus containing chiral intermorpholino linkages.

A further class of oligonucleotide mimetic is referred to as cyclohexene nucleic acids (CeNA). In CeNA oligonucleotides, the furanose ring normally present in a DNA or RNA molecule is replaced with a cyclohexenyl ring. CeNA DMT protected phosphoramidite monomers have been prepared and used for oligomeric compound synthesis following classical phosphoramidite chemistry. Fully modified CeNA oligomeric compounds and oligonucleotides having specific positions modified with CeNA have been prepared and studied (Wang et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2000, 122, 8595-8602). In general the incorporation of CeNA monomers into a DNA chain increases its stability of a DNA/RNA hybrid. CeNA oligoadenylates formed complexes with RNA and DNA complements with similar stability to the native complexes. The study of incorporating CeNA structures into natural nucleic acid structures was shown by NMR and circular dichroism to proceed with easy conformational adaptation. Furthermore the incorporation of CeNA into a sequence targeting RNA was stable to serum and able to activate E. coli RNase H resulting in cleavage of the target RNA strand.

A further modification includes bicyclic sugar moieties such as “Locked Nucleic Acids” (LNAs) in which the 2′-hydroxyl group of the ribosyl sugar ring is linked to the 4′ carbon atom of the sugar ring thereby forming a 2′-C,4′-C-oxymethylene linkage to form the bicyclic sugar moiety (reviewed in Elayadi et al., Curr. Opinion Invens. Drugs, 2001, 2, 558-561; Braasch et al., Chem. Biol., 2001, 8 1-7; and Orum et al., Curr. Opinion Mol. Ther., 2001, 3, 239-243; see also U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,268,490 and 6,670,461). The linkage can be a methylene (—CH2-) group bridging the 2′ oxygen atom and the 4′ carbon atom, for which the term LNA is used for the bicyclic moiety; in the case of an ethylene group in this position, the term ENA™ is used (Singh et al., Chem. Commun., 1998, 4, 455-456; ENA™: Morita et al., Bioorganic Medicinal Chemistry, 2003, 11, 2211-2226). LNA and other bicyclic sugar analogs display very high duplex thermal stabilities with complementary DNA and RNA (Tm=+3 to +10[deg.] C.), stability towards 3′-exonucleolytic degradation and good solubility properties. LNAs are commercially available from ProLigo (Paris, France and Boulder, Colo., USA).

An isomer of LNA that has also been studied is alpha-L-LNA which has been shown to have superior stability against a 3′-exonuclease. The alpha-L-LNAs were incorporated into antisense gapmers and chimeras that showed potent antisense activity (Frieden et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 2003, 21, 6365-6372).

Another similar bicyclic sugar moiety that has been prepared and studied has the bridge going from the 3′-hydroxyl group via a single methylene group to the 4′ carbon atom of the sugar ring thereby forming a 3′-C,4′-C-oxymethylene linkage (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,060).

LNA has been shown to form exceedingly stable LNA:LNA duplexes (Koshkin et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1998, 120, 13252-13253). LNA:LNA hybridization was shown to be the most thermally stable nucleic acid type duplex system, and the RNA-mimicking character of LNA was established at the duplex level. Introduction of 3 LNA monomers (T or A) significantly increased melting points (Tm=+15/+11[deg.] C.) toward DNA complements. The universality of LNA-mediated hybridization has been stressed by the formation of exceedingly stable LNA:LNA duplexes. The RNA-mimicking of LNA was reflected with regard to the N-type conformational restriction of the monomers and to the secondary structure of the LNA:RNA duplex.

LNAs also form duplexes with complementary DNA, RNA or LNA with high thermal affinities. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra show that duplexes involving fully modified LNA (esp. LNA:RNA) structurally resemble an A-form RNA:RNA duplex. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) examination of an LNA:DNA duplex confirmed the 3′-endo conformation of an LNA monomer. Recognition of double-stranded DNA has also been demonstrated suggesting strand invasion by LNA. Studies of mismatched sequences show that LNAs obey the Watson-Crick base pairing rules with generally improved selectivity compared to the corresponding unmodified reference strands. DNA-LNA chimeras have been shown to efficiently inhibit gene expression when targeted to a variety of regions (5′-untranslated region, region of the start codon or coding region) within the luciferase mRNA (Braasch et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 2002, 30, 5160-5167).

Potent and nontoxic antisense oligonucleotides containing LNAs have been described (Wahlestedt et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sc U.S.A., 2000, 97, 5633-5638). The authors have demonstrated that LNAs confer several desired properties. LNA/DNA copolymers were not degraded readily in blood serum and cell extracts. LNA/DNA copolymers exhibited potent antisense activity in assay systems as disparate as G-protein-coupled receptor signaling in living rat brain and detection of reporter genes in Escherichia coli. Lipofectin-mediated efficient delivery of LNA into living human breast cancer cells has also been accomplished. Further successful in vivo studies involving LNA's have shown knock-down of the rat delta opioid receptor without toxicity (Wahlestedt et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 2000, 97, 5633-5638) and in another study showed a blockage of the translation of the large subunit of RNA polymerase II (Fluiter et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 2003, 31, 953-962).

The synthesis and preparation of the LNA monomers adenine, cytosine, guanine, 5-methyl-cytosine, thymine and uracil, along with their oligomerization, and nucleic acid recognition properties have been described (Koshkin et al., Tetrahedron, 1998, 54, 3607-3630). LNAs and preparation thereof are also described in WO 98/39352 and WO 99/14226.

Analogs of LNA, phosphorothioate-LNA and 2′-thio-LNAs, have also been prepared (Kumar et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 1998, 8, 2219-2222). Preparation of locked nucleoside analogs containing oligodeoxyribonucleotide duplexes as substrates for nucleic acid polymerases has also been described (Wengel et al., WO 99/14226). Furthermore, synthesis of 2′-amino-LNA, a novel conformationally restricted high-affinity oligonucleotide analog has been described in the art (Singh et al., J. Org. Chem., 1998, 63, 10035-10039). In addition, 2′-Amino- and 2′-methylamino-LNA's have been prepared and the thermal stability of their duplexes with complementary RNA and DNA strands has been previously reported.

Another oligonucleotide mimetic that has been prepared and studied is threose nucleic acid. This oligonucleotide mimetic is based on threose nucleosides instead of ribose nucleosides. Initial interest in (3′,2′)-alpha-L-threose nucleic acid (TNA) was directed to the question of whether a DNA polymerase existed that would copy the TNA. It was found that certain DNA polymerases are able to copy limited stretches of a TNA template (reported in Chemical and Engineering News, 2003, 81, 9). In another study it was determined that TNA is capable of antiparallel Watson-Crick base pairing with complementary DNA, RNA and TNA oligonucleotides (Chaput et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2003, 125, 856-857).

In one study (3′,2′)-alpha-L-threose nucleic acid was prepared and compared to the 2′ and 3′ amidate analogs (Wu et al., Organic Letters, 2002, 4(8), 1279-1282). The amidate analogs were shown to bind to RNA and DNA with comparable strength to that of RNA/DNA.

Further oligonucleotide mimetics have been prepared to include bicyclic and tricyclic nucleoside analogs (see Steffens et al., Helv. Chim. Acta, 1997, 80, 2426-2439; Steffens et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1999, 121, 3249-3255; Renneberg et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2002, 124, 5993-6002; and Renneberg et al., Nucleic acids res., 2002, 30, 2751-2757). These modified nucleoside analogs have been oligomerized using the phosphoramidite approach and the resulting oligomeric compounds containing tricyclic nucleoside analogs have shown increased thermal stabilities (Tm's) when hybridized to DNA, RNA and itself. Oligomeric compounds containing bicyclic nucleoside analogs have shown thermal stabilities approaching that of DNA duplexes.

Another class of oligonucleotide mimetic is referred to as phosphonomonoester nucleic acids which incorporate a phosphorus group in the backbone. This class of oligonucleotide mimetic is reported to have useful physical and biological and pharmacological properties in the areas of inhibiting gene expression (antisense oligonucleotides, sense oligonucleotides and triplex-forming oligonucleotides), as probes for the detection of nucleic acids and as auxiliaries for use in molecular biology. Further oligonucleotide mimetics amenable to the present invention have been prepared wherein a cyclobutyl ring replaces the naturally occurring furanosyl ring.

Another modification of the oligomeric compounds of the invention involves chemically linking to the oligomeric compound one or more moieties or conjugates which enhance the properties of the oligomeric compound, such as to enhance the activity, cellular distribution or cellular uptake of the oligomeric compound. These moieties or conjugates can include conjugate groups covalently bound to functional groups such as primary or secondary hydroxyl groups. Conjugate groups of the invention include intercalators, reporter molecules, polyamines, polyamides, polyethylene glycols, polyethers, groups that enhance the pharmacodynamic properties of oligomers, and groups that enhance the pharmacokinetic properties of oligomers. Typical conjugate groups include cholesterols, lipids, phospholipids, biotin, phenazine, folate, phenanthridine, anthraquinone, acridine, fluoresceins, rhodamines, coumarins, and dyes. Groups that enhance the pharmacodynamic properties, in the context of this invention, include groups that improve uptake, enhance resistance to degradation, and/or strengthen sequence-specific hybridization with the target nucleic acid. Groups that enhance the pharmacokinetic properties, in the context of this invention, include groups that improve uptake, distribution, metabolism or excretion of the compounds of the present invention. Representative conjugate groups are disclosed in International Patent Application PCT/US92/09196, filed Oct. 23, 1992, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,287,860 and 6,762,169.

Conjugate moieties include but are not limited to lipid moieties such as a cholesterol moiety, cholic acid, a thioether, e.g., hexyl-S-tritylthiol, a thiocholesterol, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a phospholipid, e.g., di-hexadecyl-rac-glycerol or triethyl-ammonium 1,2-di-O-hexadecyl-rac-glycero-3-H-phosphonate, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid, a palmityl moiety, or an octadecylamine or hexylamino-carbonyl-oxycholesterol moiety. Oligomeric compounds of the invention may also be conjugated to drug substances, for example, aspirin, warfarin, phenylbutazone, ibuprofen, suprofen, fenbufen, ketoprofen, (S)-(+)-pranoprofen, carprofen, dansylsarcosine, 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid, flufenamic acid, folinic acid, a benzothiadiazide, chlorothiazide, a diazepine, indomethicin, a barbiturate, a cephalosporin, a sulfa drug, an antidiabetic, an antibacterial or an antibiotic. Oligonucleotide-drug conjugates and their preparation are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,656,730.

Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such oligonucleotide conjugates include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,828,979; 4,948,882; 5,218,105; 5,525,465; 5,541,313; 5,545,730; 5,552,538; 5,578,717, 5,580,731; 5,580,731; 5,591,584; 5,109,124; 5,118,802; 5,138,045; 5,414,077; 5,486,603; 5,512,439; 5,578,718; 5,608,046; 4,587,044; 4,605,735; 4,667,025; 4,762,779; 4,789,737; 4,824,941; 4,835,263; 4,876,335; 4,904,582; 4,958,013; 5,082,830; 5,112,963; 5,214,136; 5,082,830; 5,112,963; 5,214,136; 5,245,022; 5,254,469; 5,258,506; 5,262,536; 5,272,250; 5,292,873; 5,317,098; 5,371,241, 5,391,723; 5,416,203, 5,451,463; 5,510,475; 5,512,667; 5,514,785; 5,565,552; 5,567,810; 5,574,142; 5,585,481; 5,587,371; 5,595,726; 5,597,696; 5,599,923; 5,599,928 and 5,688,941.

Oligomeric compounds can also be modified to have one or more stabilizing groups that are generally attached to one or both termini of an oligomeric compound to enhance properties such as for example nuclease stability. Included in stabilizing groups are cap structures. By “cap structure or terminal cap moiety” is meant chemical modifications, which have been incorporated at either terminus of oligonucleotides (see for example Wincott et al., WO 97/26270). These terminal modifications protect the oligomeric compounds having terminal nucleic acid molecules from exonuclease degradation, and can improve delivery and/or localization within a cell. The cap can be present at either the 5′-terminus (5′-cap) or at the 3′-terminus (3′-cap) or can be present on both termini of a single strand, or one or more termini of both strands of a double-stranded compound. This cap structure is not to be confused with the inverted methylguanosine “5′ cap” present at the 5′ end of native mRNA molecules. In non-limiting examples, the 5′-cap includes inverted abasic residue (moiety), 4′,5′-methylene nucleotide; 1-(beta-D-erythrofuranosyl) nucleotide, 4′-thio nucleotide, carbocyclic nucleotide; 1,5-anhydrohexitol nucleotide; L-nucleotides; alpha-nucleotides; modified base nucleotide; phosphorodithioate linkage; threo-pentofuranosyl nucleotide; acyclic 3′,4′-seco nucleotide; acyclic 3,4-dihydroxybutyl nucleotide; acyclic 3,5-dihydroxypentyl riudeotide, 3′-3′-inverted nucleotide moiety; 3′-3′-inverted abasic moiety; 3′-2′-inverted nucleotide moiety; 3′-2′-inverted abasic moiety; 1,4-butanediol phosphate; 3′-phosphoramidate; hexylphosphate; aminohexyl phosphate; 3′-phosphate; 3′-phosphorothioate; phosphorodithioate; or bridging or non-bridging methylphosphonate moiety (for more details see Wincott et al., International PCT publication No. WO 97/26270).

Particularly suitable 3′-cap structures include, for example 4′,5′-methylene nucleotide; 1-(beta-D-erythrofuranosyl) nucleotide; 4′-thio nucleotide, carbocyclic nucleotide; 5′-amino-alkyl phosphate; 1,3-diamino-2-propyl phosphate, 3-aminopropyl phosphate; 6-aminohexyl phosphate; 1,2-aminododecyl phosphate; hydroxypropyl phosphate; 1,5-anhydrohexitol nucleotide; L-nucleotide; alpha-nucleotide; modified base nucleotide; phosphorodithioate; threo-pentofuranosyl nucleotide; acyclic 3′,4′-seco nucleotide; 3,4-dihydroxybutyl nucleotide; 3,5-dihydroxypentyl nucleotide, 5′-5′-inverted nucleotide moiety; 5′-5′-inverted abasic moiety; 5′-phosphoramidate; 5′-phosphorothioate; 1,4-butanediol phosphate; 5′-amino; bridging and/or non-bridging 5′-phosphoramidate, phosphorothioate and/or phosphorodithioate, bridging or non bridging methylphosphonate and 5′-mercapto moieties (for more details see Beaucage and Tyer, 1993, Tetrahedron 49, 1925).

Further 3′ and 5′-stabilizing groups that can be used to cap one or both ends of an oligomeric compound to impart nuclease stability include those disclosed in WO 03/004602 published on Jan. 16, 2003.

In certain embodiments, oligomeric compounds, may be conjugated with a wide variety of different positively charged polymers. Examples of positively charged polymers include peptides, such as argine rich peptides (Examples of positively charged peptides that may be used in the practice of the invention include R9F2C; (RXR)4 XB (where X can be any amino acid); R5F2R4c; (RFF)3; Tat proteins, such as TAT sequence CYGRKKRRQRRR; and (RFF)3R), cationic polymers, such as dendrimeric octaguanindine polymer, and other positively charged molecules as known in the art for conjugation to antisense oligonucleotide compounds. In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense oligonucleotides are conjugated with positively charged polymer comprising a polymer having a molecular weight that is from about 1,000 to 20,000 Daltons, and preferably from about 5,000 to 10,000 Daltons. Another example of positively charged polymers is polyethylenimine (PEI) with multiple positively charged amine groups in its branched or unbranched chains. PEI has else been widely used as gene and oligomer delivery vesicle.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof the oligomeric compounds are modified with cell penetrating sequences. Suitable cell penetrating sequences include cell penetrating peptides, such as TAT peptide, MPG, Pep-1, MAP, fusogenic, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), bacteriocidal peptides, fungicidal peptides, virucidal peptides,

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are short peptides that facilitate cellular uptake of the particles of the invention. The particle of the invention is associated with the CPP peptides either through chemical linkage via covalent bonds or through non-covalent interactions. The function of the CPPs are to deliver the particles into cells, a process that commonly occurs through endocytosis with the cargo delivered to the endosomes of living mammalian cells. CPPs typically have an amino acid composition that either contains a high relative abundance of positively charged amino acids such as lysine or arginine or has sequences that contain an alternating pattern of polar/charged amino acids and non-polar, hydrophobic amino acids. These two types of structures are referred to as polycationic or amphipathic, respectively. A third class of CPPs are the hydrophobic peptides, containing only apolar residues, with low net charge or have hydrophobic amino acid groups that are crucial for cellular uptake.

An exemplary cell penetrating peptide is the trans-activating transcriptional activator (Tat) from Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 (HIV-1) could be efficiently taken up from the surrounding media by numerous cell types in culture. Other cell penetrating peptides are MPG, Pep-1, transportan, penetratin, CADY, TP, TP10, arginine octamer. polyarginine sequences, Arg8, VP22 HSV-1 structural protein, SAP Proline-rich motifs, Vectocell® peptides, hCT (9-32), SynB, Pvec, and PPTG1. Cell penetrating peptides may be cationic, essentially containing clusters of polyarginine in their primary sequence or amphipathic. CPPs are generally peptides of less than 30 amino acids, derived from natural or unnatural protein or chimeric sequences.

In suitable embodiments, the oligomeric compounds are incorporated or otherwise associated with nanoparticles. Nanoparticles may suitably modified for targeting specific cells and optimised for penetrating cells. A skilled person is aware of methods to employ nanoparticles for oligomeric compounds delivery to cells.

In suitable embodiments of the present invention, the oligomeric compounds are modified with an endosomal escape agent moiety. The endocytic pathway is a major uptake mechanism of cells. Compounds taken up by the endocytic pathway become entrapped in endosomes and may be degraded by specific enzymes in the lysosome. This may be desired or not desired depending on the purpose. If taken up by the endosomes is not desired, endosomal escape agent may be used. Suitable endosomal escape agents may be chloroquine, TAT peptide.

It is not necessary for all positions in a given oligomeric compound to be uniformly modified, and in fact more than one of the aforementioned modifications may be incorporated in a single compound or even within a single nucleoside within an oligomeric compound.

The present invention also includes oligomeric compounds which are chimeric compounds. “Chimeric” oligomeric compounds or “chimeras,” in the context of this invention, are single- or double-stranded oligomeric compounds, such as oligonucleotides, which contain two or more chemically distinct regions, each comprising at least one monomer unit, i.e., a nucleotide in the case of an oligonucleotide compound. Chimeric antisense oligonucleotides are one form of oligomeric compound. These oligonucleotides typically contain at least one region which is modified so as to confer upon the oligonucleotide increased resistance to nuclease degradation, increased cellular uptake, alteration of charge, increased stability and/or increased binding affinity for the target nucleic acid.

Chimeric oligomeric compounds of the invention can be formed as composite structures of two or more oligonucleotides, modified oligonucleotides, oligonucleosides, oligonucleotide mimetics, or regions or portions thereof. Such compounds have also been referred to in the art as hybrids or gapmers. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such hybrid structures include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,013,830; 5,149,797; 5,220,007; 5,256,775; 5,366,878; 5,403,711; 5,491,133; 5,565,350; 5,623,065; 5,652,355; 5,652,356; and 5,700,922.

Oligomerization of modified and unmodified nucleosides can be routinely performed according to literature procedures for DNA (Protocols for Oligonucleotides and Analogs, Ed. Agrawal (1993), Humana Press) and/or RNA (Scaringe, Methods (2001), 23, 206-217. Gait et al., Applications of Chemically synthesized RNA in RNA: Protein Interactions, Ed. Smith (1998), 1-36. Gallo et al., Tetrahedron (2001), 57, 5707-5713).

Oligomeric compounds of the present invention can be conveniently and routinely made through the well-known technique of solid phase synthesis. Equipment for such synthesis is sold by several vendors including, for example, Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.). Any other means for such synthesis known in the art may additionally or alternatively be employed. It is well known to use similar techniques to prepare oligonucleotides such as the phosphorothioates and alkylated derivatives.

The following precursor compounds, including amidites and their intermediates can be prepared by methods routine to those skilled in the art; 5′-O-Dimethoxytrityl-thymidine intermediate for 5-methyl dC amidite, 5′-O-Dimethoxytrityl-2′-deoxy-5-methylcytidine intermediate for 5-methyl-dC amidite, 5′-O-Dimethoxytityl-2′-deoxy-N4-benzoyl-5-methylcytidine penultimate intermediate for 5-methyl dC amidite, (5′-O-(4,4′-Dimethoxytriphenylmethyl)-2′-deoxy-N4-benzoyl-5-methylcytidin-3′-O-yl)-2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite (5-methyl dC amidite), 2′-Fluorodeoxyadenosine, 2′-Fluorodeoxyguanosine, 2′-Fluorouridine, 2′-Fluorodeoxycytidine, 2′-O-(2-Methoxyethyl) modified amidites, 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-5-methyluridine intermediate, 5′-O-DMT-2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-5-methyluridine penultimate intermediate, (5′-O-(4,4′-Dimethoxytriphenylmethyl)-2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-5-methyluridin-3′-O-yl)-2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite (MOE T amidite), 5′-O-Dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-5-methylcytidine intermediate, 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-N<4>-benzoyl-5-methylcytidine penultimate intermediate, (5′-O-(4,4′-Dimethoxytriphenylmethyl)-2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-N<4>-benzoyl-5-methylcytidin-3′-O-yl)-2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite (MOE 5-Me-C amidite), (5′-O-(4,4′-Dimethoxytriphenylmethyl)-2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-N<6>-benzoyladenosin-3′-O-yl)-2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite (MOE A amdite), (5′-O-(4,4′-Dimethoxytriphenylmethyl)-2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl)-N<4>-isobutyrylguanosin-3′-O-yl)-2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite (MOE G amidite), 2′-O-(Aminooxyethyl) nucleoside amidites and 2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl) nucleoside amidites, 2′-(Dimethylaminooxyethoxy) nucleoside amidites, 5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-O<2>-2′-anhydro-5-methyluridine, 5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-methyluridine, 2′-O-((2-phthalimidoxy)ethyl)-5′-t-butyldiphenylsilyl-5-methyluridine, 5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-((2-formadoximinooxy)ethyl)-5-methyluridine, 5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O—(N,N dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine, 2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine, 5′-O-DMT-2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine, 5′-O-DMT-2′-O-(2-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine-3′-((2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite), 2′-(Aminooxyethoxy) nucleoside amidites, N2-isobutyryl-6-O-diphenylcarbamoyl-2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)guanosine-3′-((2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite), 2′-dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy (2′-DMAEOE) nucleoside amidites, 2′-O-(2(2-N,N-dimethylaminoethoxy)ethyl)-5-methyl uridine, 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-(2(2-N,N-dimethylaminoethoxy)-ethyl))-5-methyl uridine and 5′-O-Dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-(2(2-N,N-dimethylaminoethoxy)-ethyl))-5-methyl uridine-3′-O-(cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropyl)phosphoramidite.

The preparation of such precursor compounds for oligonucleotide synthesis are routine in the art and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,426,220 and published PCT WO 02/36743.

2′-Deoxy and 2′-methoxy beta-cyanoethyldiisopropyl phosphoramidites can be purchased from commercial sources (e.g. Chemgenes, Needham, Mass. or Glen Research, Inc. Sterling, Va.). Other 2′-O-alkoxy substituted nucleoside amidites can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,506,351.

Oligonucleotides containing 5-methyl-2′-deoxycytidine (5-Me-C) nucleotides can be synthesized routinely according to published methods (Sanghvi, et. al., Nucleic Acids Research, 1993, 21, 3197-3203) using commercially available phosphoramidites (Glen Research, Sterling Va. or ChemGenes, Needham, Mass.).

2′-fluoro oligonucleotides can be synthesized routinely as described (Kawasaki, et. al., J. Med. Chem., 1993, 36, 831-841) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,633.

2′-O-Methoxyethyl-substituted nucleoside amidites can be prepared routinely as per the methods of Martin, P., Helvetica Chimica Acta, 1995, 78, 486-504.

Aminooxyethyl and dimethylaminooxyethyl amidites can be prepared routinely as per the methods of U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,533.

Phosphorothioate-containing oligonucleotides (P-S) can be synthesized by methods routine to those skilled in the art (see, for example, Protocols for Oligonucleotides and Analogs, Ed. Agrawal (1993), Humana Press). Phosphinate oligonucleotides can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,508,270.

Alkyl phosphonate oligonucleotides can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,863.

3′-Deoxy-3′-methylene phosphonate oligonucleotides can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,610,289 or 5,625,050.

Phosphoramidite oligonucleotides can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,775 or 5,366,878.

Alkylphosphonothioate oligonucleotides can be prepared as described in published PCT applications PCT/US94/00902 and PCT/US93/06976 (published as WO 94/17093 and WO 94/02499, respectively).

3′-Deoxy-3′-amino phosphoramidate oligonucleotides can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,925.

Phosphotriester oligonucleotides can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,243.

Borano phosphate oligonucleotides can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,130,302 and 5,177,198.

4′-thio-containing oligonucleotides can be synthesized as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,873.

Methylenemethylimino linked oligonucleosides, also identified as MMI linked oligonucleosides, methylenedimethylhydrazo linked oligonucleosides, also identified as MDH linked oligonucleosides, and methylenecarbonylamino linked oligonucleosides, also identified as amide-3 linked oligonucleosides, and methyleneaminocarbonyl linked oligonucleosides, also identified as amide-4 linked oligonucleosides, as well as mixed backbone compounds having, for instance, alternating MMI and P—O or P—S linkages can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,378,825, 5,386,023, 5,489,677, 5,602,240 and 5,610,289.

Formacetal and thioformacetal linked oligonucleosides can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,264,562 and 5,264,564.

Ethylene oxide linked oligonucleosides can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,618.

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) can be prepared in accordance with any of the various procedures referred to in Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNA): Synthesis, Properties and Potential Applications, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 1996, 4, 5-23. They may also be prepared in accordance with U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,539,082, 5,700,922, 5,719,262, 6,559,279 and 6,762,281.

Oligomeric compounds incorporating at least one 2′-O-protected nucleoside by methods routine in the art. After incorporation and appropriate deprotection the 2′-O-protected nucleoside will be converted to a ribonucleoside at the position of incorporation. The number and position of the 2-ribonucleoside units in the final oligomeric compound may vary from one at any site or the strategy can be used to prepare up to a full 2′-OH modified oligomeric compound.

The main RNA synthesis strategies that are presently being used commercially include 5′-[beta]-DMT-2′-O-t-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS), 5′-O-DMT-2′-[1(2-fluorophenyl)-4-methoxypiperidin-4-yl] (FPMP), 2′-O-[(triisopropylsilyl)oxy]methyl (2′-O-CH2-O—Si(iPr)3 (TOM), and the 5′-O-silyl ether-2′-ACE (5′-O-bis(trimethylsiloxy)cyclododecyloxysilyl ether (DOD)-2′-O-bis(2-acetoxyethoxy)methyl (ACE). Some companies currently offering RNA products include Pierce Nucleic Acid Technologies (Milwaukee, Wis.), Dharmacon Research Inc. (a subsidiary of Fisher Scientific, Lafayette, Colo.), and Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc. (Coralville, Iowa). One company, Princeton Separations, markets an RNA synthesis activator advertised to reduce coupling times especially with TOM and TBDMS chemistries. Such an activator would also be amenable to the oligomeric compounds of the present invention.

All of the aforementioned RNA synthesis strategies are amenable to the oligomeric compounds of the present invention. Strategies that would be a hybrid of the above e.g. using a 5′-protecting group from one strategy with a 2′-O-protecting from another strategy is also contemplated herein.

Chimeric oligonucleotides, chimeric oligonucleosides and mixed chimeric oligonucleotides/oligonucleosides can be synthesized according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,065.

Chimeric oligomeric compounds exhibiting enhanced cellular uptake and greater pharmacologic activity may be made in accordance to U.S. Pat. No. 8,501,703.

Another form of oligomeric compounds comprise tricyclo-DNA (tc-DNA) antisense oligonucleotides. Tricyclo-DNA nucleotides are nucleotides modified by the introduction of a cyclopropane ring to restrict conformational flexibility of the backbone and to optimize the backbone geometry of the torsion angle γ. Homobasic adenine- and thymine-containing tc-DNAs form extraordinarily stable A-T base pairs with complementary RNAs. Antisense oligomeric compound that contains between 6-22 tricyclo nucleotides in length, in particular between 8-20 tricyclo nucleotides, more particularly between 10 and 18 or between 11 and 18 tricyclo nucleotides are suitable. See e.g. WO2010115993 for examples of tricyclo-DNA (tc-DNA) antisense oligonucleotides.

Oligomerization of modified and unmodified nucleosides can be routinely performed according to literature procedures for DNA (Protocols for Oligonucleotides and Analogs, Ed. Agrawal (1993), Humana Press) and/or RNA (Scaringe, Methods (2001), 23, 206-217. Gait et al., Applications of Chemically synthesized RNA in RNA: Protein Interactions, Ed. Smith (1998), 1-36. Gallo et al., Tetrahedron (2001), 57, 5707-5713).

Antisense compounds can be conveniently and routinely made through the well-known technique of solid phase synthesis. Equipment for such synthesis is sold by several vendors including, for example, Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.). Any other means for such synthesis known in the art may additionally or alternatively be employed. It is well known to use similar techniques to prepare oligonucleotides such as the phosphorothioates and alkylated derivatives. The disclosure is not limited by the method of antisense compound synthesis.

Methods of oligonucleotide purification and analysis are known to those skilled in the art. Analysis methods include capillary electrophoresis (CE) and electrospray-mass spectroscopy. Such synthesis and analysis methods can be performed in multi-well plates. The methods described herein are not limited by the method of oligomer purification.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense compounds provided herein are resistant to RNase H degradation.

In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense compounds comprise at least one modified nucleotide. In another embodiment, the antisense compounds comprise a modified nucleotide at each position. In yet another embodiment, the antisense compounds are uniformly modified at each position.

Modulation of splicing can be assayed in a variety of ways known in the art. Target mRNA levels can be quantitated by, e.g., Northern blot analysis, competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or real-time PCR. RNA analysis can be performed on total cellular RNA or poly(A)+mRNA by methods known in the art. Methods of RNA isolation are taught in, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 1, pp. 4.1.1-4.2.9 and 4.5.1-4.5.3, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1993.

Northern blot analysis is routine in the art and is taught in, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 1, pp. 4.2.1-4.2.9, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1996. Real-time quantitative (PCR) can be conveniently accomplished using the commercially available ABI PRISM™ 7700 Sequence Detection System, available from PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif. and used according to manufacturer's instructions.

Levels of a protein encoded by a target mRNA can be quantitated in a variety of ways well known in the art, such as immunoprecipitation, Western blot analysis (immunoblotting), ELISA or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Antibodies directed to a protein encoded by a target mRNA can be identified and obtained from a variety of sources, such as the MSRS catalog of antibodies (Aerie Corporation, Birmingham, Mich.), or can be prepared via conventional antibody generation methods. Methods for preparation of polyclonal antisera are taught in, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 2, pp. 11.12.1-11.12.9, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997. Preparation of monoclonal antibodies is taught in, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 2, pp. 11.4.1-11.11.5, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997.

Immunoprecipitation methods are standard in the art and can be found at, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 2, pp. 10.16.1-10.16.11, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1998. Western blot (immunoblot) analysis is standard in the art and can be found at, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 2, pp. 10.8.1-10.8.21, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are standard in the art and can be found at, for example, Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Volume 2, pp. 11.2.1-11.2.22, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1991.

The effect of the oligomeric compounds of the present invention may be analysed by RT PCT, qPCR, flanking exon PCR and/or a method comprising

flanking exon PCR on each internal exon corresponding to the mRNA to obtain one or more flanking exon amplification products, and detecting the presence and length of the said flanking exon amplification products,

quantifying of each protein encoding exon of said mRNA.

The oligomeric compounds provided herein may be utilized for therapeutics or research. Furthermore, antisense compounds, which are able to inhibit gene expression or modulate splicing with specificity, may be used to elucidate the function of particular genes or gene products or to distinguish between functions of various members of a biological pathway. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof the oligomeric compounds are used for the treatment of Pompe disease. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof the oligomeric compounds are used in research of the function of the GAA gene.

Compounds described herein can be used to modulate splicing of a target mRNA in an metazoans, preferably mammals preferably human. In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the methods comprise the step of administering to said animal an effective amount of an antisense compound that modulates splicing of a target mRNA.

For example, modulation of splicing of a target mRNA can be measured by determining levels of mRNA splicing products in a bodily fluid, tissue, organ of cells of the animal. Bodily fluids include, but are not limited to, blood (serum or plasma), lymphatic fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, semen, urine, synovial fluid and saliva and can be obtained by methods routine to those skilled in the art. Tissues, organs or cells include, but are not limited to, blood (e.g., hematopoietic cells, such as human hematopoietic progenitor cells, human hematopoietic stem cells, CD34+ cells CD4+ cells), lymphocytes and other blood lineage cells, skin, bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph node, brain, spinal cord, heart, skeletal muscle, liver, connective tissue, pancreas, prostate, kidney, lung, oral mucosa, esophagus, stomach, ilium, small intestine, colon, bladder, cervix, ovary, testis, mammary gland, adrenal gland, and adipose (white and brown). Samples of tissues, organs and cells can be routinely obtained by biopsy. In some alternative situations, samples of tissues or organs can be recovered from an animal after death. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof modulation of splicing is measured in fibroblast, preferably primary fibroblasts, preferably primary fibroblasts from patients suffering from Pompe disease.

The effects of treatment with the oligomeric compounds can be assessed by measuring biomarkers associated with modulation of splicing of a target mRNA in the aforementioned fluids, tissues or organs, collected from an animal contacted with one or more compounds, by routine clinical methods known in the art. These biomarkers include but are not limited to: glucose, cholesterol, lipoproteins, triglycerides, free fatty acids and other markers of glucose and lipid metabolism; liver transaminases, bilirubin, albumin, blood urea nitrogen, creatine and other markers of kidney and liver function; interleukins, tumor necrosis factors, intracellular adhesion molecules, C-reactive protein and other markers of inflammation; testosterone, estrogen and other hormones; tumor markers; vitamins, minerals and electrolytes. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof the biomarker is glycogen.

The compounds disclosed herein can be utilized in pharmaceutical compositions by adding an effective amount of a compound to a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier. The compounds can also be used in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of diseases and disorders related to alterations in splicing. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the disease is Pompe disease.

Methods whereby bodily fluids, organs or tissues are contacted with an effective amount of one or more of the antisense compounds or compositions of the disclosure are also contemplated. Bodily fluids, organs or tissues can be contacted with one or more of the compounds of the disclosure resulting in modulation of splicing of target mRNA in the cells of bodily fluids, organs or tissues. An effective amount can be determined by monitoring the modulatory effect of the antisense compound or compounds or compositions on target nucleic acids or their products by methods routine to the skilled artisan. Further contemplated are ex vivo methods of treatment whereby cells or tissues are isolated from a subject, contacted with an effective amount of the antisense compound or compounds or compositions and reintroduced into the subject by routine methods known to those skilled in the art.

A sufficient amount of an antisense oligomeric compound to be administered will be an amount that is sufficient to induce amelioration of unwanted disease symptoms. Such an amount may vary inter alia depending on such factors as the gender, age, weight, overall physical condition, of the patient, etc. and may be determined on a case by case basis. The amount may also vary according to the type of condition being treated, and the other components of a treatment protocol (e.g. administration of other medicaments such as steroids, etc.). The amount may also vary according to the method of administration such as systemically or locally.

Typical dosage amounts of the antisense oligonucleotide molecules in pharmaceutical formulations may range from about 0.05 to 1000 mg/kg body weight, and in particular from about 5 to 500 mg/kg body weight. In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the dosage amount is from about 50 to 300 mg/kg body weight once in 2 weeks, or once or twice a week, or any frequency required to achieve therapeutic effect. Suitably amounts are from 3-50 mg/kg, more suitably 10-40 mg/kg, more suitably 15-25 mg/kg.

The dosage administered will, of course, vary depending on the use and known factors such as the pharmacodynamic characteristics of the active ingredient; age, health, and weight of the recipient; nature and extent of symptoms, kind of concurrent treatment, frequency of treatment, and the effect desired. The recipient may be any type of mammal, but is preferably a human. In one embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, dosage forms (compositions) of the inventive pharmaceutical composition may contain about 1 microgram to 50,000 micrograms of active ingredient per unit, and in particular, from about 10 to 10,000 micrograms of active ingredient per unit. (if here a unit means a vial or one package for one injection, then it will be much higher, up to 15 g if the weight of a patient is 50 kg) For intravenous delivery, a unit dose of the pharmaceutical formulation will generally contain from 0.5 to 500 micrograms per kg body weight and preferably will contain from 5 to 300 micrograms, in particular 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 200, or 300 micrograms per kg body weight ([mu]g/kg body weight) of the antisense oligonucleotide molecule. Preferred intravenous dosage ranges from 10 ng to 2000 microg, preferably 3 to 300 [mg, more preferably 10 to 100 [mu]g of compound per kg of body weight. Alternatively the unit dose may contain from 2 to 20 milligrams of the antisense oligonucleotide molecule and be administered in multiples, if desired, to give the preceding daily dose. In these pharmaceutical compositions, the antisense oligonucleotide molecule will ordinarily be present in an amount of about 0.5-95% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

In one particular embodiment, it should be recognized that the dosage can be raised or lowered based on individual patient response. It will be appreciated that the actual amounts of antisense oligonucleotide molecule used will vary according to the specific antisense oligonucleotide molecule being utilized, the particular compositions formulated, the mode of application, and the particular site of administration.

Preferably the compounds are administered daily, once every 2 days, once every 3 days, once a week, once every two weeks, or once every month.

In another preferred embodiment the administration is only one time, e.g. when using a viral vector.

If a viral-based delivery of antisense oligomeric compounds is chosen, suitable doses will depend on different factors such as the viral strain that is employed, the route of delivery (intramuscular, intravenous, intra-arterial or other), Those of skill in the art will recognize that such parameters are normally worked out during clinical trials. Further, those of skill in the art will recognize that, while disease symptoms may be completely alleviated by the treatments described herein, this need not be the case. Even a partial or intermittent relief of symptoms may be of great benefit to the recipient. In addition, treatment of the patient is usually not a single event. Rather, the antisense oligomeric compounds of the invention will likely be administered on multiple occasions, that may be, depending on the results obtained, several days apart, several weeks apart, or several months apart, or even several years apart.

Those of skill in the art will recognize that there are many ways to determine or measure a level of functionality of a protein, and to determine a level of increase or decrease of functionality e.g. in response to a treatment protocol. Such methods include but are not limited to measuring or detecting an activity of the protein, etc. Such measurements are generally made in comparison to a standard or control or “normal” sample. In addition, when the protein's lack of functionality is involved in a disease process, disease symptoms may be monitored and/or measured in order to indirectly detect the presence or absence of a correctly functioning protein, or to gauge the success of a treatment protocol intended to remedy the lack of functioning of the protein. In preferred embodiment the functionality of the GAA protein is measured. This is suitably performed with an enzymatic activity assays as is well known to a skilled person.

In a particular embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof; antisense oligonucleotides of the invention may be delivered in vivo alone or in association with a vector. In its broadest sense, a “vector” is any vehicle capable of facilitating the transfer of the antisense oligonucleotide of the invention to the cells. Preferably, the vector transports the nucleic acid to cells with reduced degradation relative to the extent of degradation that would result in the absence of the vector. In general, the vectors useful in the invention include, but are not limited to, naked plasmids, non viral delivery systems (electroporation, sonoporation, cationic transfection agents, liposomes, etc. . . . ), phagemids, viruses, other vehicles derived from viral or bacterial sources that have been manipulated by the insertion or incorporation of the antisense oligonucleotide nucleic acid sequences. Viral vectors are a preferred type of vector and include, but are not limited to nucleic acid sequences from the following viruses: R A viruses such as a retrovirus (as for example moloney murine leukemia virus and lentiviral derived vectors), harvey murine sarcoma virus, murine mammary tumor virus, and rous sarcoma virus; adenovirus, adeno-associated virus; SV40-type viruses; polyoma viruses; Epstein-Barr viruses; papilloma viruses; herpes virus; vaccinia virus; polio virus. One can readily employ other vectors not named but known to the art.

Preferred viral vectors according to the invention include adenoviruses and adeno-associated (AAV) viruses, which are DNA viruses that have already been approved for human use in gene therapy. Actually 12 different AAV serotypes (AAV1 to 12) are known, each with different tissue tropisms (Wu, Z Mol Ther 2006; 14:316-27). Recombinant AAV are derived from the dependent parvovirus AAV (Choi, V W J Virol 2005; 79:6801-07). The adeno-associated virus type 1 to 12 can be engineered to be replication deficient and is capable of infecting a wide range of cell types and species (Wu, Z Mol Ther 2006; 14:316-27). It further has advantages such as, heat and lipid solvent stability; high transduction frequencies in cells of diverse lineages, including hemopoietic cells; and lack of superinfection inhibition thus allowing multiple series of transductions. In addition, wild-type adeno-associated virus infections have been followed in tissue culture for greater than 100 passages in the absence of selective pressure, implying that the adeno-associated virus genomic integration is a relatively stable event. The adeno-associated virus can also function in an extrachromosomal fashion.

Other vectors include plasmid vectors. Plasmid vectors have been extensively described in the art and are well known to those of skill in the art. See e.g. Sambrook et al, 1989. They are particularly advantageous for this because they do not have the same safety concerns as with many of the viral vectors. These plasmids, however, having a promoter compatible with the host cell, can express a peptide from a gene operatively encoded within the plasmid. Some commonly used plasmids include pBR322, pUC18, pUC19, pRC/CMV, SV40, and pBlueScript. Other plasmids are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, plasmids may be custom designed using restriction enzymes and ligation reactions to remove and add specific fragments of DNA. Plasmids may be delivered by a variety of parenteral, mucosal and topical routes. For example, the DNA plasmid can be injected by intramuscular, intradermal, subcutaneous, or other routes. It may also be administered by, intranasal sprays or drops, rectal suppository and orally. Preferably, said DNA plasmid is injected intramuscular, or intravenous. It may also be administered into the epidermis or a mucosal surface using a gene-gun. The plasmids may be given in an aqueous solution, dried onto gold particles or in association with another DNA delivery system including but not limited to liposomes, dendrimers, cochleate and microencapsulation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the antisense oligonucleotide nucleic acid sequence is under the control of a heterologous regulatory region, e.g., a heterologous promoter. The promoter can also be, e.g., a viral promoter, such as CMV promoter or any synthetic promoters.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the vector may code for more than one antisense oligomeric compound. Each antisense oligomeric compound is directed to different targets.

Pharmaceutical composition comprising the antisense compounds described herein may comprise any pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or salts of such esters, or any other functional chemical equivalent which, upon administration to an animal including a human, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) the biologically active metabolite or residue thereof. Accordingly, for example, the disclosure is also drawn to prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the antisense compounds, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of such prodrugs, and other bioequivalents.

The term “prodrug” indicates a therapeutic agent that is prepared in an inactive or less active form that is converted to an active form (i.e., drug) within the body or cells thereof by the action of endogenous enzymes, chemicals, and/or conditions. In particular, prodrug versions of the oligonucleotides are prepared as SATE ((S-acetyl-2-thioethyl) phosphate) derivatives according to the methods disclosed in WO 93/24510 or WO 94/26764. Prodrugs can also include antisense compounds wherein one or both ends comprise nucleotides that are cleaved (e.g., by incorporating phosphodiester backbone linkages at the ends) to produce the active compound.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to physiologically and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds: i.e., salts that retain the desired biological activity of the parent compound and do not impart undesired toxicological effects thereto. Sodium salts of antisense oligonucleotides are useful and are well accepted for therapeutic administration to humans. In another embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, sodium salts of dsRNA compounds are also provided.

The antisense compounds described herein may also be admixed, encapsulated, conjugated or otherwise associated with other molecules, molecule structures or mixtures of compounds.

The present disclosure also includes pharmaceutical compositions and formulations which include the antisense compounds described herein. The pharmaceutical compositions may be administered in a number of ways depending upon whether local or systemic treatment is desired and upon the area to be treated. In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, administration is intramuscular or intravenous.

The pharmaceutical formulations, which may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form, may be prepared according to conventional techniques well known in the pharmaceutical industry. Such techniques include the step of bringing into association the active ingredients with the pharmaceutical carrier(s) or excipient(s). In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the active ingredients with liquid carriers, finely divided solid carriers, or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product (e.g., into a specific particle size for delivery). In a preferred embodiment of the invention and/or embodiments thereof, the pharmaceutical formulations are prepared for intramuscular administration in an appropriate solvent, e.g., water or normal saline, possibly in a sterile formulation, with carriers or other agents.

A “pharmaceutical carrier” or “excipient” can be a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent, suspending agent or any other pharmacologically inert vehicle for delivering one or more nucleic acids to an animal and are known in the art. The excipient may be liquid or solid and is selected, with the planned manner of administration in mind, so as to provide for the desired bulk, consistency, etc., when combined with a nucleic acid and the other components of a given pharmaceutical composition.

Compositions provided herein may contain two or more antisense compounds. In another related embodiment, compositions may contain one or more antisense compounds, particularly oligonucleotides, targeted to a first nucleic acid and one or more additional antisense compounds targeted to a second nucleic acid target. Alternatively, compositions provided herein can contain two or more antisense compounds targeted to different regions of the same nucleic acid target. Two or more combined compounds may be used together or sequentially. Compositions can also be combined with other non-antisense compound therapeutic agents.

The antisense oligomeric compound described herein may be in admixture with excipients suitable for the manufacture of aqueous suspensions. Such excipients are suspending agents, for example sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydropropyl-methylcellulose, sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gum tragacanth and gum acacia; dispersing or wetting agents can be a naturally-occurring phosphatide, for example, lecithin, or condensation products of an alkylene oxide with fatty acids, for example polyoxyethylene stearate, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with long chain aliphatic alcohols, for example heptadecaethyleneoxycetanol, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and a hexitol such as polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol anhydrides, for example polyethylene sorbitan monooleate. Aqueous suspensions may also contain one or more preservatives, for example ethyl, or n-propyl p-hydroxybenzoate. Dispersible powders and granules suitable for preparation of an aqueous suspension by the addition of water provide the active ingredient in admixture with a dispersing or wetting agent, suspending agent and one or more preservatives. antisense oligomeric compound compositions may be in the form of a sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspension. Suspensions may be formulated according to the known art using those suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents that have been mentioned above. The sterile injectable preparation can also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parentally acceptable diluent or solvent, for example as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that can be employed are water, Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose, any bland fixed oil can be employed including synthetic mono or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid find use in the preparation of injectables.

The present disclosure also includes antisense oligomeric compound compositions prepared for storage or administration that include a pharmaceutically effective amount of the desired compounds in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. Acceptable carriers or diluents for therapeutic use are well known in the pharmaceutical art, and are described, for example, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Mack Publishing Co., A. R. Gennaro edit., 1985). For example, preservatives and stabilizers can be provided. These include sodium benzoate, sorbic acid and esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. In addition, antioxidants and suspending agents can be used.

Pharmaceutical compositions of this disclosure can also be in the form of oil-in-water emulsions. The oily phase can be a vegetable oil or a mineral oil or mixtures of these. Suitable emulsifying agents can be naturally-occurring gums, for example gum acacia or gum tragacanth, naturally-occurring phosphatides, for example soy bean, lecithin, and esters or partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol, anhydrides, for example sorbitan monooleate, and condensation products of the said partial esters with ethylene oxide, for example polyoxy ethylene sorbitan monooleate.

The antisense oligomeric compound of this disclosure may be administered to a patient by any standard means, with or without stabilizers, buffers, or the like, to form a composition suitable for treatment. When it is desired to use a liposome delivery mechanism, standard protocols for formation of liposomes can be followed. Thus the antisense oligomeric compound of the present disclosure may be administered in any form, for example intramuscular or by local, systemic, or intrathecal injection.

This disclosure also features the use of antisense oligomeric compound compositions comprising surface-modified liposomes containing poly(ethylene glycol) lipids (PEG-modif[iota]ed, or long-circulating liposomes or stealth liposomes). These formulations offer a method for increasing the accumulation of antisense oligomeric compound in target tissues. This class of drug carriers resists opsonization and elimination by the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS or RES), thereby enabling longer blood circulation times and enhanced tissue exposure for the encapsulated antisense oligomeric compound (Lasic et al, Chem. Rev. 95:2601-2627 (1995) and Ishiwata et al, Chem. Pharm. Bull. 43:1005-1011 (1995). Long-circulating liposomes enhance the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antisense oligomeric compound, particularly compared to conventional cationic liposomes which are known to accumulate in tissues of the MPS (Liu et al, J. Biol. Chem. 42:24864-24870 (1995); Choi et al, PCT Publication No. WO 96/10391; Ansell et al, PCT Publication No. WO 96/10390; Holland et al, PCT Publication No. WO 96/10392). Long-circulating liposomes are also likely to protect antisense oligomeric compound from nuclease degradation to a greater extent compared to cationic liposomes, based on their ability to avoid accumulation in metabolically aggressive MPS tissues such as the liver and spleen.

Following administration of the antisense oligomeric compound compositions according to the formulations and methods of this disclosure, test subjects will exhibit about a 10% up to about a 99% reduction in one or more symptoms associated with the disease or disorder being treated, as compared to placebo-treated or other suitable control subjects.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Mutations affecting pre-mRNA splicing are difficult to predict due to the complex mechanism of splicing regulation. A generic approach to systemically detect and characterize effects of sequence variants on splicing would improve current diagnostic practice. Here, we show that such approach is feasible by combining flanking exon RT-PCR, sequence analysis of PCR products, and exon-internal quantitative RT-PCR for all coding exons. It has been applied to uncharacterized mutations in the acid-alpha glucosidase gene causing Pompe disease, a monogenic autosomal recessive disease. Effects on splicing included cryptic splice site usage, intron retention and exon skipping. These differed from in silico predictions, highlighting the need for experimental testing. Quantification of the extent of leaky wild type splicing correlated with disease severity.

Materials and Methods

Patients and Healthy Control

Patients were diagnosed with Pompe disease based on clinical symptoms and GAA enzyme activity. All patients and the healthy control provided informed consent for molecular analysis.

Nomenclature

The positions of the mutations described are aligned against Ensembl GAA cDNA association number ENST00000302262.3. c.1 indicates the first nucleotide of the coding region of GAA mRNA. Further numbering is according to HGVS standards [14].

Cell Culture and cDNA Preparation

Fibroblasts were isolated from skin biopsies of patients and a healthy individual. Cells were cultured in DMEM High Glucose (Lonza)+10% Fetal bovine serum (HyClone, Thermo Scientific)+1% penicillin/streptomycin (Lonza). RNA was isolated using the RNAeasy miniprep kit (Qiagen). 800 ng of RNA was used for generation of cDNA using the iScript cDNA synthesis kit (Biorad). cDNA was diluted 10 times before use.

Flanking Exon PCR Analysis

cDNA was amplified using FastStart Taq Polymerase (Roche). Primers were used at a final concentration of 0,333 μM each, dNTPs at 0,333 mM each. The PCR program was performed on a Biorad s1000 thermal cycler (96° C. for 4 min., 35X [96° C. 20 sec., 60° C. 30 sec., 72° C. 1 min.], 72° C. 5 min.) 5 μl of each PCR reaction was run on a 1,5% agarose gel containing ethidium bromide. Gel were photographed on a Typhoon FLA 9000 gel imager (G&E Healthcare). The primers used are listed in FIG. 15.

Exon-Internal qPCR Analysis

To determine the relative concentration of each sample, 4 μl of each cDNA sample (10 times diluted in H2O) was processed in a 15 μl PCR reaction containing IQ Mastermix (Biorad) and 0.333 μM of each primer. To account for the efficiency of each specific primer set, all samples were related to a standard curve from the healthy control sample. All samples were measured in triplicate. The primers used are listed in FIG. 16.

Sanger Sequencing

Genomic DNA mutations were identified at the diagnostic department of Clinical Genetics at the Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Direct sequencing of flanking exon PCR products was performed using the Big Dye Terminator kit v3.1 (Applied Biosystems). To obtain pure DNA samples, PCR products visible on gel in the splicing assay were stabbed with a 20 μl pipet tip and DNA on the tip was resuspended in 10 μl H2O. 1 μl was subsequently used in a new PCR (as described in the splicing assay) to obtain DNA from a single template. Excess primers and dNTPs were removed using FastAP Thermosensitive Alkaline Phosphatase (Thermo Scientific), according to the manufacturer's protocol. Samples were purified with sephadex G-50 (GE Healthcare) and the sequence was determined on an AB3130 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems, Hitachi).

GAA Enzyme Activity

The activity of GAA in fibroblasts was measured with 4-methylumbelliferyl-α-gluocpyranoside (4-MU) or with glycogen as substrate as described [15].

Results

Generic Assay to Detect Splicing Mutations

The approach consists of two parts. First (FIG. 1, left), a generic RT-PCR is performed of the mRNA of interest using standard primers that flank each individual canonical exon (flanking exon PCR). The products are separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. Changes in product size are indicative of alternative/aberrant splicing. Splicing junctions can be precisely determined using sequencing of products isolated from gel or by direct sequencing of the PCR reaction. Second (FIG. 1, right), a standard qPCR is performed to quantify each individual exon (exon-internal qPCR). Primers that anneal within each exon are used. Results are normalized for beta-actin mRNA and for expression in a healthy control. The results quantify exon skipping/inclusion, and may also indicate whether a splicing mutation allows leaky wild type splicing.

Development and Validation of the Assay

Healthy Control

The assay was developed using a healthy control. To detect splicing junctions and exon sizes, flanking exon PCR analysis was performed on cDNA prepared from primary fibroblasts using primers that annealed to flanking exons (FIG. 2A). Gel electrophoresis and ethidium bromide staining showed the correct molecular weight products in all cases. This indicated canonical splicing for all exons in these cells. Some additional products were observed in at minor amounts, notably, just above exon 6 and 7. Sequence analysis indicated that these represent products in which intron 6 was retained. The products were observed in this healthy control and in many Pompe patients and may indicate noisy aberrant splicing, which is a known phenomenon [16]. Individual exons were quantified using exon-internal qPCR (FIG. 1B). Values were normalized for 6-actin expression (as measured by qPCR analysis), and were then ready to use for normalization of test samples.

Patient 1

This patient was used to validate whether a well described splicing mutation could be accurately detected in primary fibroblasts using the assay described above. The c.-32-13T>G (IVS1) mutation was chosen because it is a frequent mutation causing juvenile/adult onset of Pompe disease. It is located in intron 1 close to the splice acceptor site of exon 2, and it causes aberrant splicing of exon 2 but also allows leaky wild type splicing [17, 18]. The second allele is known to be expressed at very low levels due to NMD [19]. This is caused by the c.1636+5G>T mutation, which leads to intron 11 inclusion and a premature termination codon. For this reason, the allele containing the IVS1 mutation dominates in the splicing assay described below.

Flanking exon PCR analysis yielded three major products from exon 2 amplification (FIG. 2A). These products were analyzed by DNA sequencing, which indicated that product 1 represented full exon 2 with canonical splicing junctions (FIG. 9). Product 2 contained partially skipped exon 2 due to the utilization of a cryptic splice acceptor site at c.486 while product 3 represented fully skipped exon 2 (FIGS. 2A and S2). These products correspond to the major splicing variants reported for the IVS1 mutation, namely normal (N) (product 1), splicing variant (SV) 1 (product 2) and SV2 (product 3) [18].

Exon-internal qPCR analysis showed 10-15% expression of exon 2 and all other exons (FIG. 2). This can be explained as follows. The IVS1 mutation allows leaky wild type splicing of exon 2 (product 1 in FIG. 2A) yielding a normal mRNA containing all exons, as noted previously ([18, 20]. The 2 other major products 2 and 3 both result in the deletion of the canonical start of translation, which is located in exon 2. This leads to in mRNA degradation, resulting in minor contribution in the quantitative exon-internal qPCR assay, and predominant detection of the leaky wild type GAA mRNA from the IVS1 allele. In conclusion, the known effects of the IVS1 mutation on splicing were faithfully detected using the generic splicing assay for GAA. Leaky wild type splicing were 10-15% of healthy control levels and explained the juvenile/adult onset of Pompe disease. It is of note that all five splicing prediction programs used here (SpliceSiteFinder-like (SSF), MaxEntScan (MES), NNSplice (NNS), GeneSplicer (GS) and Human Splicing Finder (HSF)) failed to detect an effect of the IVS1 mutation on splicing (FIG. 14A).

Patient 2

This patient was chosen to test the sensitivity of the assay. Due to a homozygous c.525delT mutation, GAA mRNA expression is very low due to NMD [21]. Surprisingly, flanking exon PCR analysis showed that all exons could still be detected at the correct sizes, although at reduced levels (FIG. 8). Higher molecular weight products were also observed at even lower levels. These may represent unspliced pre-mRNA species, amplified due to the reduced abundance of competing spliced mRNA in the PCR reaction. To quantify the amount of residual mRNA, exon-internal qPCR was performed and showed 5-10% expression of all exons relative to the healthy control (FIG. 8B). In conclusion, the generic splicing assays for GAA allow analysis and quantification of very low mRNA expression. This is particularly relevant for mRNAs that are subject to degradation as the result of reading frame alterations.

Patient 3

A third validation was performed on a patient carrying a well-known deletion removing the entire exon 18 plus its flanking sequences (del ex18, or c.2481+102_2646+31del) (FIG. 2A). This case is interesting because the splice sites of exon 18 are removed. Previous work has shown that a new mRNA is formed in which exon 17 is neatly spliced to exon 19 via canonical splice sites [17]. The translation reading frame of the resulting mRNA remains intact, suggesting that this mRNA is not susceptible to degradation via the NMD pathway (FIG. 7-Table 2). The second mutation in this patient, c.1548G>A, generates a termination codon in exon 10 [22]. Its effects on mRNA expression have not been reported so far. The premature termination codon is likely to result in low mRNA abundance from this allele.

Flanking exon PCR indicated changes for amplification of exons 17, 18, and 19 (FIG. 3A). Exon 18 amplification yielded two products instead of one. Sequence analysis indicated that the highest MW product (number 4) represented wild type spliced exon 18, while the lower MW product (number 5) lacked the entire exon 18, and exon 17 and exon 19 were joined via their canonical splice sites (Fig. S3A). Amplification of exons 17 and 19 yielded lower amounts of the correct products compared to the healthy control. The primers used for their amplification anneal to exon 18, indicating that their detection could not be derived from the delex18 allele but must have come from the c.1548G>A allele. This indicates that the c.1548G>A allele is expressed to some extent, and it explains the detection of moderate levels of wild type spliced exon 18 by flanking exon PCR.

To quantify expression from the c.1548G>A allele, exon-internal qPCR was performed and indicated 3% expression of exon 18, while all other exons were expressed at ˜40-50% of healthy control levels (FIG. 3F). This shows that the c.1548G>A mutation results in very low mRNA expression, as measured by the low level of exon 18 detection. Expression of all other exons is derived from the delex18 allele, which produces a stable mRNA in which exon 18 is precisely deleted.

In summary, the generic splicing assay also allows detection and characterization of exonic deletions. A dissection can be made between two alleles by comparing the results of the flanking exon PCR and the exon-internal qPCR assays.

Characterization of Novel Splicing Mutations

Next, a number of patients were analyzed that contained partially characterized or uncharacterized mutations.

Patient 4

Patient 4 contained a novel mutation at c.-32-3C>G located in intron 1 close to the splice acceptor site of exon 2 (FIG. 3D). This mutation is suspected to affect splicing of exon 2 based on its similarity to the published c.-32-3C>A mutation [19]. In this study, a perfect skip of exon 2 was reported. Splicing prediction programs indicated that the c.-32-3C>G mutation weakens the splice acceptor site of exon 2 for some but not all programs (FIG. 14C). The second allele contained a previously reported [23] but uncharacterized mutation at c.1551+1G>A which is located in intron 10 close to the splice donor site of exon 10 (FIG. 3E). Based on the similarity to the published c.1551+1G>C mutation [17, 24], the c.1551+1G>A mutation is suspected to affect exon 10 splicing. Splicing prediction programs indicated loss of the splice donor site of exon 10 (FIG. 14C).

The results of the flanking exon PCR analysis indicated aberrant splicing of two exons: exon 2 and exon 10 (FIG. 3C). Amplification of exon 2 resulted in 3 major products, number 6-8, and sequence analysis indicated that these products included wild type splicing, partial skipping of exon 2 via the cryptic splice acceptor site at c.486 in exon 2, and perfect skipping of exon 2, respectively (FIG. 3D and FIG. 10B). This indicates that two independent mutations in intron 1, namely c.-32-13T>G, which is located in the polypyrimidine tract, and c.-32-3C>G, located near the splice acceptor site, have the same qualitative outcome with respect to exon 2 splicing. Splicing prediction programs were insufficient to accurately predict this outcome. Flanking exon PCR amplification of exon 10 resulted in two major products, 9 and 10 (FIG. 3C). Sequence analysis showed that product 9 contained wild type junctions between exons 9, 10, and 11, and that product 10 represented precise skipping of exon 10 mRNA (FIG. 3E and FIG. 10C) in which the reading frame remains intact. This was surprising because the most straightforward result of a weakening of the splice donor site of exon 10 would be a failure to remove intron 10 rather than a skipping of exon 10.

To determine the extent of splicing defects, exon-internal qPCR was performed. Exon 10 was expressed at ˜6%, while all other exons were expressed at ˜50% of healthy control levels (FIG. 3F). This is consistent with the idea that the majority of mRNA is derived from the c.1551+1G>A allele in which exon 10 is skipped. The shorter product has an unchanged reading frame and is expected to be stable. In contrast, the c.-32-3C>G allele results in (partial) exon 2 skipping, which is known to result in mRNA degradation analogous to the IVS1 mutation. The c.-32-3C>G allele has only a minor contribution to the exon-internal qPCR results. Its contribution can be judged from exon 10 expression, which can result from leaky wild type splicing of the c.-32-3C>G mutation. However, an alternative source for exon 10 expression is leaky wild type expression of the c.1551+1G>A allele. The very low level of exon 10 expression indicates that both the c.-32-3C>G and the c.1551+1G>A have low or absent levels of leaky wild type expression. This indicates that the c.-32-3C>G mutation may be more severe compared to the IVS1 mutation, as the IVS1 mutation allows a higher level of wild type splicing of 10-15% (FIG. 2D). The clinical course of Pompe disease indicates a juvenile onset for this patient, consistent with a low level of wild type GAA expression and GAA enzyme activity levels that were lower compared to adult onset patients (FIG. 6-Table 1).

Patient 5

Patient 5 was homozygous for c.1075G>A, which is a p.Gly359Arg missense mutation located at the last basepair of exon 6 (FIG. 4B) [25]. This mutation has been classified as presumably nonpathogenic with possible effects on splicing [26]. It is located near the splice donor site of exon 6, and splicing prediction analysis indicated weakening of this site and strengthening of a cryptic splice donor site 4 nucleotides upstream (FIG. 14D).

Flanking exon PCR analysis showed absence of a product for exon 7, low levels of the other exons, and a low level of a low MW product for exon 2 (FIG. 4A). Based on the predictions and on the location of this mutation in exon 6, we suspected that splicing junctions around exon 6 and 7 may be altered. In agreement, sequencing of the exon 6 PCR product (product 11) showed that the cryptic splice donor site in exon 6 located 4 nucleotides upstream at c.1071 was used instead (FIG. 4B and Fig. S4B). This explains the absence of a product for exon 7, as the forward primer for exon 7 amplification has 4 mismatches due to the changed splice donor site. Remarkably, the flanking exon PCR assay failed to detect leaky wild type splicing for this mutation. This would have resulted in the presence of a wild type band for exon 7 amplification, which was not observed. To further investigate splicing of exon 7, an alternative forward primer located in exon 5 was used. The expected product was now obtained, and showed splicing from c.1071 in exon 6 to the canonical splice acceptor site of exon 7 (FIG. 11A), as was observed for sequence analysis of product 11. The reading frame of the resulting mRNA has been changed leading to a premature termination codon (Table 2). The low MW product obtained with exon 2 amplification has not been pursued further. It may be caused by a yet unidentified intronic mutation. Alternatively, wild type GAA mRNA is known to have leaky exon 2 skipping, the product of which may be preferentially amplified because of mRNA degradation due to the c.1071 mutation.

Quantification of GAA mRNA expression using the exon-internal qPCR assay showed that all GAA exons were expressed at very low levels, well below levels observed for the IVS1 mutation but just above the levels observed for the c.525delT mutation (FIG. 4G). This confirmed the notion that leaky wild type splicing levels in this patient are very low or absent, while the majority of the mRNA is unstable. In agreement, very low GAA activity in fibroblasts was measured and the diagnosis of this patient was the most severe classic infantile form of Pompe disease.

Patient 6

Patient 6 carried a homozygous c.1552-3C>G mutation. This mutation is located in intron 10 close to exon 11 (FIG. 4D). Flanking exon PCR analysis showed aberrant splicing of exon 10 with three major products (12-14; FIG. 4E). Sequence analysis indicated that in product 14, exon 10 was completely skipped while a novel splice acceptor site near exon 11 at c.1552-30 was utilized (FIGS. 4D and 11C). This mRNA leaves the reading frame intact (Table 2). Product 13 was identified as wild type spliced mRNA. Product 12 consisted of mRNA in which the complete intron 10 was retained. The reading frame is disrupted in this splicing product. While products 13 and 14 have been detected previously [27], product 12 is novel. Interestingly, splicing prediction programs were ambivalent on predicting the extent of utilization of the canonical or the cryptic splice acceptor sites of exon 11 (FIG. 14F). Moreover, the outcome was unexpected in any case: weakening of the splice acceptor site of exon 11 would not be expected to result in the skipping of exon 10. Instead, two products could be envisioned: one in which the splice donor site of exon 10 splices to the cryptic acceptor at c.1552-30, resulting in extension of exon 11 with a part of intron 10 and further normal splicing. The other expected product would be a perfect skipping of exon 11. The completely different outcome illustrates that experimental validation is required to analyze the molecular consequences of potential splicing mutations.

Quantification of splicing defects was performed with the exon-internal qPCR assay. This showed expression of all exons at ˜20% of healthy control levels (FIG. 4G). No extra reduction of exon 10 expression was observed, suggesting that the majority of mRNA included exon 10, favoring products 12 and 13 above 14. The presence of leaky wild type splicing (product 13) is consistent with residual GAA enzyme activity and the milder phenotype with adult onset of Pompe disease in this patient (table 1). In conclusion, c.1552-3C>G results in several splicing defects around exon 10 and intron 10, and it allows leaky wild type splicing compatible with adult disease onset.

Patient 7

Patient 7 was homozygous for c.1437G>A, a silent mutation located at the splice donor site of exon 9 (FIG. 4F). Flanking exon PCR analysis showed two products instead of one for exon 9 amplification, and low yields for exon 8 and exon 10 amplification (FIG. 4E). Sequence analysis indicated that product 15 represented wild type spliced exon 9, while in product 16, exon 9 was perfectly skipped, resulting in a shorter transcript in which the reading frame was unchanged (FIG. 4F and FIG. 11D). As expected from its location, the c.1437G>A mutation was predicted in silico to weaken to splice donor site of exon 9 (FIG. 14E). However, the experimental result was surprising as failure of the splice donor site of exon 9 would be expected to result in inclusion of intron 9 rather than skipping of exon 9. Products of exon 8 and exon 10 amplification had correct sizes but lower yield because exon 9 had reduced availability to serve as template for annealing of the reverse PCR primer (for exon 8) or the forward PCR primer (for exon 10).

Quantification using exon-internal qPCR showed near-normal (70-80% of control) expression levels for all exons except for exon 9, which showed expression of only 5% of healthy control. The juvenile/adult disease onset of this patient is consistent with the leaky nature of the splice site mutation (Table 1). In summary, the c.1437G>A mutation results in precise skipping of exon 9 leaving the reading frame intact, and allows a low level of leaky wild type GAA splicing. Characterization of a complex case: patient 8

Genotype

Patient 8 contained the missense mutation c.1256A>T on allele 1. It is located in the middle of exon 8, results in p.Asp419Val, and has been classified as mildly pathogenic (FIG. 5B) [26]. The 2nd allele contained a c.1551+1G>T mutation, which is located in intron 10 close to the splice donor site of exon 10[26]. It resembles the c.1551+1G>A mutation described above for patient 4.

Analysis of Splicing Products

Flanking exon PCR analysis indicated multiple PCR products from amplification of exons 8, 9, and 10 (FIG. 5A). All these products were analyzed by sequencing (FIG. 12). This indicated the presence of wild type exon 8 splicing (product 17) and utilization of a novel splice donor site in exon 8 at c.1254, which is located 2 nt upstream of the c.1256A>T mutation (product 18; FIG. 5B-C). This donor spliced to the canonical splicing acceptor site of exon 9 and the resulting reading frame was unchanged (Table 2). Splicing prediction programs indeed showed that c.1254 turned into a splice donor site due to the c.1256A>T mutation (FIG. 14G). The canonical splice donor site of exon 8 remained unchanged, and it was unclear which of the two sites would be preferred from in silico predictions. Product 21 represented wild type splicing of exon 10, while product 22 was the result of perfect exon 10 skipping in which the reading frame remained intact (FIG. 5D and FIG. 12). Loss of the exon 10 splice donor site by the c.1551+1G>T mutation was consistent with splicing predictions (FIG. 14G), but the outcome was not anticipated, as intron 10 inclusion rather than exon 10 skipping seemed the most logical consequence.

Evidence for Low Levels of Leaky Wild Type Splicing

Along with the exon-internal qPCR analysis described below, the flanking exon PCR assay provides information on the severity of the mutations via the relative intensities of the products. These can be explained based on the identification of the splicing products (FIG. 5B-D) and on the locations of the primers used for amplification (FIG. 13).

Exon 7

Detection of exon 7 is performed with a forward primer that anneals to the 3′ end of exon 6 and a reverse primer to the 5′end of exon 8 (FIG. 13). The 5′end of exon 8 is retained in all cases while the 3′part is spliced out in the c.1256A>T allele. Flanking exon PCR detection of exon 7 should therefore not be affected in this patient and this was indeed the case (FIG. 5A).

Exon 8

Flanking exon PCR primers used for detection of exon 8 are anneal to exon 7 and 9 (FIG. 13). Both exons are not affected in this patient predicting that all splicing alterations of exon 8 itself should be detected in a semi-quantitative manner. Indeed, a strong wild type product (number 17) was detected, dominated by allele 2, and a slightly weaker smaller product 18 was detected due to the novel cryptic splice donor site at c.1254 in allele 1. Maximal 50% of product 17 is expected to be derived from allele 2 and its stronger abundance compared to product 18 therefore suggests that allele 1 has leaky wild type splicing.

Exon 9

PCR primers for detection of exon 9 by flanking exon PCR anneal to the 5′ part of exon 8, which is the part that is not skipped in allele 1, and to exon 10, which is completely skipped in allele 2 (FIG. 12). This complicates detection of exon 9 from these two alleles: a product from allele 1 would be shorter than normal due to the partial skipping of exon 8. A product from allele 2 is not possible due to the precise skipping of exon 10, while this exon is required for primer annealing. The predominant product obtained was the shorter product number 20 which was derived from allele 1. However, a small amount of wild type product number 19 was also observed. This indicates that at least one of the two alleles allows leaky wild type splicing.

Exon 10

Flanking exon PCR analysis of exon 10 is performed with primers annealing in exon 9 and exon 11, both of which are unaffected. The result therefore reflects the splicing alterations of exon 10 in a semi-quantitative way. Product 21 representing wild type splicing was the most abundant, while product 22 in which exon 10 was perfectly skipped was slightly less abundant. Because exon 10 splicing of allele 1 is unaffected and can account for 50% of wild type product, this result suggests that allele 2 also has leaky wild type splicing similar to allele 1.

Quantification Using Exon-Internal qPCR Analysis

Quantification of mRNA expression of each exon revealed that all exons except exons 8 and 10 showed ˜2 fold higher abundance compared to the healthy control. Exons 8 and 10 were expressed at 2-fold lower levels with respect to the other exons but still at 80-120% of the levels of the healthy control. This indicates abnormally high mRNA expression in this patient. Allele 1 (1256A>T) suffers from partial skipping of exon 8 resulting in failure in detection of a qPCR product. The residual detection of exon 8 is therefore derived from allele 2 (c.1551+1G>T), expected to contribute 50%, and the remaining expression is likely derived from leaky wild type splicing from allele 1. The same rationale applies to detection of exon 10. In this case, expression was close to 50% relative to other exons, suggesting that the c.1551+1G>T mutation allowed much lower levels of wild type splicing. It should be noted that it is unclear why this patient shows 2-fold higher GAA expression relative to the healthy control, and whether this increase applies to both alleles to similar extents. This patient has a childhood/juvenile disease onset but is clearly less affected compared to classic infantile Pompe patients, consistent with low levels of residual wild type expression of GAA (table 1).

In summary, patient 8 contained two splicing mutations. c.1256A>T is a missense mutation in exon 8 that causes p.Asp419Val and in addition generates a novel splice donor site at c.1254, resulting in partial skipping of exon 8 and in leaky wild type splicing. c.1551+1G>T is located in intron 10 and causes perfect skipping of exon 10 and in leaky wild type splicing. The childhood/juvenile onset of Pompe disease suggests that both mutations are moderately to severely pathogenic. This is consistent with the GAA enzyme activity levels, which are lower compared to adult onset patients.

Mucopolycaccharidosis type VI (Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome) is a autosomal recessive monogenic disorder caused by defects in the gene coding for N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfatase (arylsulfatase B; ARSB). To demonstrate the generic nature of the splicing assay, the assay was adapted for MPSVI. To this end, flanking exon primers were designed for all coding exons of the ARSB gene (exons 2-7; the first and the last exons cannot be flanked). The following primer sequences and the expected product sizes (column “WT product size”) were used:

SEQ WT ID pro- 1142 + Exon primer NO: duct 2T > C 2 Forward GGGTGCTCCTGGACAACTAC 1590 378 378 Reverse CCTGTTGCAACTTCTTCGCC 1591 3 Forward ATGGCACCTGGGAATGTACC 1592 444 444 Reverse GTGTTGTTCCAGAGCCCACT 1593 4 Forward ACGCTCTGAATGTCACACGA 1594 514 514 Reverse GTTGGCAGCCAGTCAGAGAT 1595 5 Forward AAAAAGCAGTGGGCTCTGGA 1596 361 117 Reverse CGGTGAAGAGTCCACGAAGT 1597 6 Forward CAGAAGGGCGTGAAGAACCG 1598 314 314 Reverse CCCGTGAGGAGTTTCCAATT 1599 TC 7 Forward ACTTCGTGGACTCTTCACCG 1600 348 348 Reverse AGTACACGGGGACTGAGTGT 1601

Primary fibroblasts from a healthy control were grown, total RNA was harvested, cDNA was synthesized, and exons 2-7 were amplified by PCR, see FIG. 31. Products were separated on an agarose gel and visualized using ethidium bromide. FIG. 31 shows that all exons gave a predominant single band at the expected size (size markers are indicated on the left and numbers refer to sizes in bp). Next, fibroblasts were grown from a patient homozygous for the ARSB variant c.1142+2T>C. This patient has been described previously in Brands et al. (Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2013 Apr. 4; 8:51). While a splicing defect was suspected, it has not been demonstrated. In addition, it was not known how severe the potential splicing defect may be. Application of the splicing assay to analyze the nature of this variant revealed a severe splicing defect with two major outcomes, as shown in FIG. 32, left part: 1) The product for amplification of exon 5 was lower compared to the healthy control: now a single product of 117 bp instead of 361 bp was obtained, which is consistent with a skipping of exon 5 and a deletion of 244 nucleotides in the mRNA, see above, all products had a lower abundance compared to the healthy control. This is consistent with the idea that the deletion of 244 nucleotides results in a reading frame shift, resulting in activation of the nonsense mediated decay pathway and degradation of the mRNA. Interestingly, no leaky wild type splicing could be detected. This is consistent with the severe and fast disease progression in this patient as described in Brands et al. (Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2013 Apr. 4; 8:51). Taken together, the expression and splicing assay was successfully applied to MPSVI, in which is resulted in the identification of the splicing defect caused by the c.1142+2T>C ARSB variant. The absence of leaky wild type splicing was consistent with the severe phenotype of the patient involved.

Example 2

1 Generation of the SF-U7 snRNA Antisense Vector

The U7snRNA gene with promoter was obtained from female mouse genomic DNA by using Fw-GCGCctgcagTAACAACATAGGAGCTGTG (SEQ ID NO: 1602) and Rv-GCGCgtcgacCAGATACGCGTTTCCTAGGA (SEQ ID NO:1603) primers with PstI and SalI overhang (indicated in bold regular letter type) in a PCR amplification. The whole PCR reaction was loaded on a 1% gel and the PCR fragment (425 bp) was cloned into a Topo-II-vector according to the manufacture's manual (Invitrogen). SMopt and StuI sites were generated by using site directed mutagenesis according to an inner and outer primer design with Fw-(GCTCTTTTAGAATTTTTGGAGCAGGTTTTCTGACTTCG (SEQ ID NO: 1604) and Rv-U7snRNA-SmOPT (CGAAGTCAGAAAACCTGCTCCAAAAATTCTAAAAGAGC (SEQ ID NO: 1605) or Fw-(CCTGGCTCGCTACAGAGGCCTTTCCGCAAGTGTTACAGC (SEQ ID NO: 1606) and Rv-U7snRNA-StuI (GCTGTAACACTTGCGGAAAGGCCTCTGTAGCGAGCCAGG (SEQ ID NO: 1607) as inner primers and with Fw-M13 (GTAAAACGACGGCCAG) (SEQ ID NO: 1608) and Rv-M13 (CAGGAAACAGCTATGAC) (SEQ ID NO: 1609) as outer primers [Heckman, K. L. and L. R. Pease, Gene splicing and mutagenesis by PCR-driven overlap extension. Nat Protoc, 2007. 2(4): p. 924-32]. The modified U7 snRNA sequence was cloned back into pRRL.PPT.SF.pre vector [Warlich E et al., Lentiviral vector design and imaging approaches to visualize the early stages of cellular reprogramming. Mol Ther. 2011 April; 19(4):782-9.] by using PstI and SalI sites and replaced the original SFFV promoter. This is the procedure for generating the SF_U7snRNA vector.

2 Optimization of the SF-U7 snRNA Antisense Vector for High Throughput Screening

The originally used StuI site is not unique in the lentiviral vector of Warlich et al and was replaced by a NsiI restriction site by site directed mutagenesis by using Fw-cctggctcgctacagatgcaTaggaggacggaggacg (SEQ ID NO: 1610) and Rv-cgtcctccgtcctcctAtgcatctgtagcgagccagg (SEQ ID NO: 1611) primers. Capital letters indicate mutated residues.

3 Insertion of Antisense Sequences

New antisense sequences were inserted with an overhang PCR by using overhang forward primers containing the desired antisense sequences (gcgcATGCAT-antisense sequence-ttggagcagg) (SEQ ID NO:1612). Bold capital letters indicate the NsiI restriction site. The reverse primer Rv_ms_U7snRNA_SalI is (GCGCgtcgacCAGATACGCGTTTCCTAGGA) (SEQ ID NO: 1613) and was the same for every construct., the small letters indicate the SalI restriction site. Overhang PCR was performed on the modified vector (SF_U7snRNA_NSI) using PfuUltra HF (Agilent Technologies) The PCR program consisted of a 30 second initial denaturation step at 95° C., 35 cycles at 95° C. for 10 seconds, 60° C. for 30 seconds and 72° C. for 10 seconds. Final extension step was at 72° C. for 10 minutes. The PCR reaction containing the desired antisense sequence and U7 snRNA loaded on a 2% agarose gel with 0.2% ethidiumbromide staining. Bands were then visualized under a transilluminator (UVP, LLC) excised and extracted using the QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit (Qiagen GmbH, Hilden, Germany).

After gel extraction, 16 μl of purified product was digested using SalI and NsiI (Roche) for 1 hour at 37° C. and purified using the QIAquick PCR Purification Kit (Qiagen GmbH, Hilden, Germany).

Meanwhile the original vector was digested with SalI and NsiI for 1 hour at 37° C., resulting in a vector without antisense sequence. The digested vector was loaded on a 1% agarose gel with ethidiumbromide staining. Bands were visualized under a transilluminator and the band corresponding with the digested vector (6358 bp) was excised and purified using the QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit (Qiagen GmbH, Hilden, Germany).

Purified digested vector and digested PCR products were ligated with T4 DNA ligase with ATP (New England BioLabs) for 1 hour at room temperature.

The ligation products were transformed in E. coli (TOP10) and inoculated on LB agar plates containing 100 μg/ml ampicillin (Sigma). After overnight incubation, three colonies were picked per ligation product for miniprep cultures. Picked colonies were grown overnight in 2 ml LB containing 100 μg/ml ampicillin at 37° C. Purification of the plasmids was carried out using the QIAprep Spin Miniprep Kit (Qiagen GmbH, Hilden, Germany). After extraction, DNA concentration was measured with the Nanovue Spectrophotometer.

Sequences of newly generated constructs were validated with Sanger Sequencing using BigDye Terminator v3.1 (Applied Biosystems) for the sequence reaction and were then purified with Sephadex G-50 (Sigma) according to manufacturer's protocol.

Sequences SEQ ID NO: 41-97 are antisense compounds identified with the U7 screen. The antisense sequence above is depicted as DNA as it is cloned into a vector, however in the cell it is transcribed as a RNA molecule. The skilled person knows then that T is U.

FIG. 22 shows examples of positions of antisense sequences targeting GAA for the unbiased intron 1 and exon 2 screen.

Enzyme Activity Assay

Enzyme activity was measured using the 4-methylumbelliferone assay. Samples were harvested after twelve days of transduction. The lysis buffer consisted of 50 mM Tris (pH 7.5), 100 mM NaCl, 50 mM NaF, 1% Tx-100 and one tablet protease inhibitor with EDTA (Roche). Lysis buffer was incubated on transduced fibroblasts for 5 minutes on ice before harvesting. Samples were either directly used or snap-freezed using liquid nitrogen and stored at −80° C. Otherwise, samples were kept on ice for further use in 4-methylumbelliferone assay.

GAA activity was measured using the substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl-α-D-glucopyranoside, which is fluorogenic in nature. Protein concentrations of the samples was determined by the Lowry protein method using the BCA Protein Assay Kit (Pierce, Thermo Scientific). Bovine serum albumin (BSA) standards consisted of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 1.0, 2.0 mg/ml. Absorbance was measured at 562 nm for the BCA Protein Assay, and for the 4-methylumbelliferone assay excitation was at 365 nm and emission at 448 nm, using the Varioskan (Thermo Scientific) microplate reader. GAA enzyme activity was expressed as nanomoles of substrate hydrolyzed per hour per milligram of total protein.

Lentiviral Vector Production

For lentiviral vector production, 293T cells 90% confluent growing on 10 cm culture dishes were seeded ⅛ on 10 cm culture dishes. After 16-24 hours, a total of 3 μg U7 snRNA construct, 2 μg Pax2 and 1 μg VSV were cotransfected using Fugene 6 Transfection Agent (Promega). Viral supernatants (9 ml) were harvested 72 hours post-transfection, filtered over 0.45 μm filters (MillexHV, Millipore) and concentrated by ultra-centrifugation in a Beckman Ultracentrifuge (Beckman Coulter) at 20.000 rpm, 4° C. for 2 hours. Viral pellets were resuspended in 100 μl Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium Low Glucose (Gibco, Paisley, UK), aliquoted in CryoTubes (Thermo Scientific) and stored at −80° C. Lentiviral titers were determined after concentration by ultracentrifugation with the HIV p24 Antigen ELISA Kit (Retrotek, ZeptroMetrix Corporation). The assay was measured with a Varioskan microplate reader (Thermo Scientific)

Transduction of Cells

Culture media was replaced with new culture media containing 6 ng/ml protamine sulphate (sigma) 24 hours after seeding. The cells were transduced with equal titers of lentiviruses (see above).

Primary fibroblasts from patient were transduced, see above with lentivirus containing the U7snRNA AON construct and splicing was allowed to occur. The screen on fibroblasts was performed by infection of individual wells containing primary fibroblasts with lentiviruses expressing a single type of U7 snRNA AONs. RNA was analysed 5 days after infection. Splicing products were analysed with RT-qPCR. GAA enzyme activity was analysed 12 days after infection (see above: enzyme activity assay). FIG. 19 shows changes in exon 2 inclusion by different AONs. RNA expression analysis using RT-qPCR of a screen on intron 1 and exon 2 of GAA with antisense sequences with the use of the U7 small nuclear RNA system. Numbers indicate antisense sequence positions according to table 1. The control is the patient fibroblast without added AON vector.

FIG. 20 shows RNA analysis with RT-PCR of a screen on intron 1 and exon 2 of GAA with antisense sequences used in the U7 small nuclear RNA system. Numbers indicate antisense sequence positions according to table 1. In the GAA RT-PCR, three major products are observed. The upper product represents exon 2 inclusion, the lower doublet represents partial skipping of exon 2 (upper band of the doublet) and complete skipping of exon 2 (lower band of the doublet. Beta-actin RT-PCR was used as loading control.

FIG. 21 shows GAA enzyme activity of the screen on intron 1 and exon 2 of GAA with antisense sequences in the U7 small nuclear RNA system. Numbers indicate antisense sequence positions according to table 1. The control is the patient fibroblast without added AON vector.

It is clear that some clones significantly increase the inclusion of exon 2 and thereby provide potential candidates for a therapy for pompe patients having the IVS1 mutation. FIG. 23 shows an example illustrating that the identified sequence could not be predicted as the identified sequence was identified both as enhancer and as silencer motif.

Example 3

By far the most common mutation causing Pompe disease is the c.-32-13T>G (IVS1) mutation. This mutation in the GAA gene is located in an intron 13 basebairs upstream of exon 2, the exon that contains the start codon for translation of the GAA mRNA. The IVS1 mutation causes miss-splicing of exon 2 in approximately 90% of GAA transcripts because it disrupts the polypyrimidine tract which reduces the strength of the exon 2 splice acceptor site.

To counteract this reduced strength of the splice site, we want to identify sequences that bind splicing factors that have a negative effect on splicing of GAA exon 2. By integration of random mutations in and around exon 2 we could be able to find these sequences.

For quick screening of a large number of mutations we generated a minigene containing GAA exon 1, intron 1, exon 2, intron 2, exon 3 and a part of intron 3 (FIG. 24, part 1). By integration of 2 unique restriction sites, we are able to quickly exchange part of the minigene surrounding exon 2 with mutant sequences (FIG. 24, part 2). A PCR is carried out at suboptimal conditions to integrate random mutations in the PCR products (FIG. 24, part 3). These PCR products, which also contain the restriction sites located around exon 2, can then be ligated directly into the destination vector. After transformation of the ligated products, clones can be picked and the plasmid can be isolated from the clone, containing a random mutation (FIG. 24, part 4). Separate transfection of these clones into HEK293 cells generate RNA-transcripts from the GAA minigene that result in differential splicing compared to the control. An example is shown in figure part 5, were a flanking exon RT-PCR and an exon internal qPCR is carried out against cDNA generated from 3 clones (indicated in FIG. 24, part 5). Sequencing of the plasmids that yield a higher inclusion of exon 2 results in identification on an important sequence that influences splicing in a negative manner. These sequences can sequentially be used to test as a potential target for antisense therapy or to screen for compounds that bind to this area.

FIG. 25 provides the results of two of the clones. Clone 115 and clone 97 demonstrate a 118% and a 297% increase of exon 2 inclusion, respectively, in comparison to the IVS1 mutation. Clone 115 contains the mutations: c.17C>T, c.469C>T, and c.546+23C>A. It results in increased wild type splicing (band 1) and decreased perfect skipping (band 3). Clone 97 contains the mutations: c.-32-102T>C, c.-32-56C>T, c.11G>A, c.112G>A, and c.137C>T. This clone also misses c.-32-553 to c.-32-122, however, this does not affect exon 2 exclusion (as determined by us by comparing splicing from minigene constructs that do or do not contain this region). Wild type splicing (band 3) is strongly increased, while both partial (band 2) and perfect (band 3) skipping are decreased.

Apart from the minigene for Exon 1-Exon 3, we also generated a minigene containing the genomic region from GAA exon 5 to GAA exon 8. With this minigene we can test other mutations that influence splicing much like the IVS1 mutation.

FIG. 34 shows the result of inhibition of the nonsense mediated decay (NMD) pathway on inclusion of intron 6 of the GAA mRNA. Cyclohexamide treatment of primary fibroblasts from a healthy control (upper gel), a Pompe patient with the genotype c.-32-13T>G, c.525delT (middle gel), and a Pompe patient with the genotype c.525delT, c.525delT (lower gel) was performed. Without inhibition of the NMD pathway (lanes labelled with 0 hr), a strong band was detected using RT-PCR representing canonical splicing of exon 6 and exon 7. A faint band just above the canonical band was observed. This band was determined by DNA sequence analysis to represent inclusion of intron 6. Because such product changes the reading frame resulting in activation of the NMD pathway, we speculated that intron 6 inclusion may in fact be a frequent event that escapes proper detection. This idea was confirmed by inhibition of the NMD pathway: this resulted in the detection of a strong band representing intron 6 inclusion. This indicated that many GAA pre-mRNA species escape canonical splicing in both healthy controls and in Pompe patients. The minigene containing GAA exon 5-8 mentioned above and the U7 snRNA screen will be used to identify sequences that can prevent inclusion of intron 6 in the final mRNA by blocking a repressor of exon 6/7 splicing. This would represent a generic therapy for all splicing mutations with leaky wild type splicing causing Pompe disease, because correct splicing of exons 6/7 will be enhanced thereby also enhancing the levels of leaky wild type splicing.

The following mutations give an increased RNA expression: c.17C>T, c.469C>T, and c.546+23C>A., c.-32-102T>C, c.-32-56C>T, c.11G>A, c.112G>A, and c.137C>T. AONs that target mRNA sequences where these mutations are located may be useful for treating patients. SEQ ID NO: 98-540 are exemplary sequences found with the minigene approach. The table above shows SEQ ID NO: 98-540 and the mutation or genomic sequence it targets.

The FIG. 26 shows a dose-response curve for SEQ ID NO: 12 (AON 1) (upper panels) and SEQ ID NO: 33 (AON 2) (lower panels). Patient-derived fibroblasts with the genotype c.-32-13T>G (IVS1) on one allele and c.525delT on the other allele were either untreated (‘no transfection’) or incubated with antisense oligomeric compound at 0-20 μM. Please note that the c.525delT undergoes nonsense-mediated decay, which explains why the effects at the RNA level are derived primarily from the IVS1 allele. Cells were harvested for RNA analysis after 3 days (A, C), and for protein analysis after 5 days (B, D). Both SEQ ID NO: 12 AON 1 and SEQ ID NO: 33 (AON 2) bind to a sequence present in intron 1 of the GAA pre-mRNA, which was identified using the U7 snRNA assay. This results in promotion of exon 2 inclusion, yielding higher expression of wild type GAA mRNA. This is measured at the mRNA level (using primers that specifically detect wild type GAA) and at the protein level (using an assay for GAA enzymatic activity).

RNA analysis: total RNA was isolated, cDNA was synthesized, and RT-qPCR analysis was performed to detect GAA exon 2 inclusion (using a forward primer specific for exon 1 and a reverse primer specific for exon 2).

Protein analysis: GAA enzyme activity was measured using the 4-MU assay. Activities were normalized for total protein as measured using the BCA assay.

Antisense oligomeric compound treatment: Antisense oligomeric compound used herein are morpholino's obtained from gene tools. Antisense oligomeric compound were transfected into the cells using endoporter (gene tools) according to the manufacture's instructions.

This following experiment is similar to that of patient fibroblast line 1 (FIG. 26) and served to demonstrate that the antisense oligomeric compounds also work in an independent cell line 2 from another patient. In this case, the genotype was IVS1 on one allele and a missense variant (c.923A>C) on the other allele. Please note that the c.923A>C allele does not undergo nonsense-mediated decay, and mRNA levels represent a mix of both alleles, making the effects on the IVS1 allele less pronounced compared to patient 1. The FIG. 27 shows a dose-response curve for SEQ ID NO: 12 (AON 1) (upper panels) and SEQ ID NO: 33 (AON 2) (lower panels).

FIG. 28 shows the specificity of antisense oligomeric compounds SEQ ID NO: 12 (AON 1) and SEQ ID NO: 33 (AON 2) for promoting exon 2 inclusion.

SEQ ID NO: 35 (control AON 2) and SEQ ID NO: 36 (control AON 3) target another region in intron 1 of GAA but is ineffective in promoting exon 2 inclusion. An unrelated AON targeting the CypA mRNA (control AON 1; SEQ ID NO: 34) does not affect GAA exon 2 inclusion. SEQ ID NO: 12 (AON 1) and SEQ ID NO: 33 (AON 2) efficiently promote inclusion of GAA exon 2 as shown by RT-qPCR analysis (A) and concomitant GAA enzyme activity assay (B). This shows that only when the in the U7 snRNA assay identified intronic splice silencing (ISS) sequence is targeted, as with SEQ ID NO: 12 (AON 1) and SEQ ID NO: 33 (AON 2), GAA exon 2 inclusion is promoted.

Sequence in Sequence Target cDNA to which sequence of Seq number Gene AON anneals AON (5′→3′): ID Control CypA c.354_362+11* TGTACCCTTACC 34 AON 1 ACTCAGTC Control GAA c.-32-224_-200** GAGTGCAGAGCA 35 AON 2 CTTGCACAGTCT G Control GAA c.-32-219_-200** GAGTGCAGAGCA 36 AON 3 CTTGCACAGTCT G *CypA cDNA sequence is Refseq entry NM_021130.4 **GAA cDNA sequence is Refseq entry NM_000152.3

FIG. 29 shows the time course of the effect of the SEQ ID NO: 33 (AON 2) on patient fibroblast line 1. Cells were assayed for GAA activity at 3-7 days after the addition of antisense oligomeric compound. Antisense oligomeric compound was continuously present in the medium throughout the experiment.

The figure shows that the effect on GAA activity starts after 3 days and reaches a maximum at 5 days after AON addition.

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The invention claimed is:
 1. An antisense oligomeric compound targeting SEQ ID NO: 1 and single nucleotide polymorphism of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein at least one of the nucleotides is modified and wherein the antisense oligomeric compound: comprises a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO's: 2-33, 38-40, 47 and 92-97, and sequences having at least 90% sequence identity thereto, or is selected from the group consisting of sequences having at least 15 consecutive nucleotides of SEQ ID NO's: 2-33, 38-40, 47 and 92-97.
 2. The antisense oligomeric compound of claim 1, selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2-33 and sequences having at least 90% identity thereof.
 3. The antisense oligomeric compound of claim 1, for use in the treatment of Pompe disease.
 4. The antisense oligomeric compound of claim 1 wherein each nucleotide of the oligomeric compound is modified and each nucleotide has the same modification.
 5. The antisense oligomeric compound of claim 1 wherein the sugar of one or more nucleotides is modified.
 6. The antisense oligomeric compound of claim 1 wherein the base of one or more nucleotides is modified.
 7. The antisense oligomeric compound of claim 1 wherein the backbone of the oligomeric compound is modified.
 8. The antisense oligomeric compound of claim 1 wherein the antisense oligomeric compound is SEQ ID NO: 12 or SEQ ID NO:
 33. 9. A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one antisense oligomeric compound according to claim
 1. 10. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 9 wherein said composition further comprises a pharmaceutical acceptable excipient and/or a cell delivery agent.
 11. The antisense oligomeric compound of claim 1, for use in treating Pompe disease in a patient having a mutation c.-32-13T>G.
 12. The antisense oligomeric compound of claim 1 for use in treating Pompe disease comprising exon inclusion.
 13. The antisense oligomeric compound of claim 5 wherein the sugar modification is 2′-O-methyl or 2′-O-methoxyethyl.
 14. The antisense oligomeric compound of claim 7 wherein the oligomeric compound comprises morpholino phosphorothioates, or morpholino phosphorodiamidates.
 15. The antisense oligomeric compound of claim 12, wherein the exon inclusion is inclusion of exon
 2. 